ANTIGUA is now going through the process of identifying a new director of public prosecutions (DPP) after Anthony Armstrong, that country’s current DPP, was arrested in Jamaica over the weekend and charged with three counts of fraudulent conversion and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The charges follow a ruling earlier this year by the General Legal Council (GLC) which found Armstrong guilty of professional misconduct.

The GLC found that Armstrong, a Jamaican, in his capacity as attorney-at-law, signed documents as a witness for a client who was not physically present. The documents were in relation to the sale of three properties in Jamaica close to two decades ago.

Armstrong was granted $500,000 bail and made his first appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday.

His passport was confiscated.

However, Armstrong’s attorney Hugh Wildman told the Jamaica Observer on Monday that the court has not produced anything to show why his client was charged. He said that the charges were eventually dismissed and therefore could not understand the reason for the arrest.

“The matter is going back to court on Thursday for mention. We tried to get back his passport on Monday. I don’t understand why the man was charged any at all. They are trying to tarnish Mr Armstrong’s reputation,” Wildman said.

According to Antiguan journalist Elesha George, that country’s Government has chosen to be silent on the matter.

“People already don’t trust the courts. Lawyers are saying that this is going to affect people’s trust in the courts because the Government isn’t saying anything and we don’t know what is going on,” George said.

“Everybody is just waiting to know what will happen. They have already started the process of installing a new DPP. Hopefully, one is installed by tomorrow,” George added.