Ninjaman sends condolences to Neita-Robertson’s family
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Incarcerated dancehall entertainer Ninjaman has issued a statement through his team expressing condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Valerie Neita-Robertson.
“She will be remembered fondly. She will surely be missed,” Ninjaman, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, said in the statement.
Known for her passionate and fierce legal battles, the 71-year-old legal powerhouse fell ill last October and passed away peacefully on February 25 surrounded by her family.
Ninjaman said that her unexpected death is a timely reminder of how important it is to let loved ones know your true feelings towards them.
“All of us must remember how important it is to let someone know how we feel about them in real time. Let them know how much you appreciate them being in your lives, for whatever reason. When someone impacts your life with greatness, tell them how grateful you are, show the respect you have for them because you never know when you won’t get to see them again,” the letter warned.
Ninjaman said that when attorney-at-law Norma Linton KC became ill in 2010, she referred the Living Inna Free Food Ticket deejay to Valerie Neita-Robertson, KC. He said she became his “second mother”.
“I consider Ms Neita-Robertson my second mother in the justice system because of the way she handled my situation, my case, giving me the feeling that she genuinely cared about what happens to me, putting humanity and compassion ahead of everything else. Among the more important things, she was always there to set the record straight on my behalf whenever necessary, in and out of the public space,” Ninjaman wrote.
Neita-Robertson was handling Ninjaman’s appeal of his murder conviction. The artiste was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in November 2017 for the murder of Ricardo Johnson in March 2009. He was convicted along with his son, Janeil Ballentine, and Dennis Clayton. Ninjaman was sentenced to serve at least 25 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
He said that Neita-Robertson’s passing has left him “heartbroken”.
“In December of last year, we were scheduled for a hearing; two weeks before the hearing I was surprised to find out she had fallen ill. Next, she was gone. I am heartbroken, because not only have I lost a great lawyer, a friend, but we all lost a phenomenal woman, a woman whose legacy will continue to live in those who were inspired by her greatness,” the letter said.
“She left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered, no doubt, among them, young lawyers who will follow gracefully in her footsteps. Ms Valerie Neita-Robertson did what she came on this Earth to do, and one of those things was to help people like myself with quality representation,” Ninjaman continued.
Neita Robertson, who had a remarkable 47-year legal career, was known for her relentless pursuit of justice. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2016 and continued working until October 2024.
In closing, he lauded her astute legal mind and her incredible contribution to the legal system of Jamaica, not only for her outstanding work as an attorney but also for the impact on the dozens of young people whose lives she helped to shape.
“She did it…she represented at her ultimate capacity; now it’s time for her to rest in eternal power,” the letter concluded.
— Claude Mills
