Was the right to natural justice denied to former SSB CEO Narda Garcia when the Godwin Hulse Special Select Committee investigated the affairs of the Social Security Board? Today that ruling was made by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Awich. Following his one hour presentation Justice Awich agreed to only one of the nine complaints made by Dr. Elson Kaseke, the attorney for Narda Garcia. Kaseke’s argument was that she was treated unfairly by the Special Select Committee because it did not afford her the same rights and privileges that would have been given to any other person before the court of law.
This evening, Kaseke told 7NEWS that while the judge may have agreed only one point of complaint he still considers today’s ruling as a significant victory for his client.
Elson Kaseke, Attorney for Narda Garcia
“I have to get a copy of the judgement, I have to read it, I have to digest it and then I will see what we will do after that. But like I said, speaking from my own perspective, it is a significant victory for Miss Garcia.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
I know Miss Garcia denied comment to the media following the judge’s ruling but did she give any indication as if to say if she feels vindicated?
Elson Kaseke,
“She definitely feels vindicated. Her decision not to make comment to the press was on my instructions, my legal instructions because as I said there is a lot of legalism there, she might have misunderstood some portions of the judgement and I just explained to her and said I was going to speak to you guys.”
Garcia declined comment and Senator Hulse was not present. The Senate Special Select Committee presented its report in July of 2006 and recommended that all board members and the general manager who were involved with the securitization program should no longer hold office at Social Security Board. Garcia was CEO at the time and was subsequently relieved of her post.
