The High Court of Antigua and Barbuda has stayed the murder prosecution of Methoni Vernon, citing due process violations, unlawful rendition, and breaches of immigration laws.
Justice Tunde A. Bakre ruled on February 10, 2025, that Vernon was illegally removed from Dominica to Antigua in 2016 without a formal extradition request, violating legal and immigration procedures. The Court deemed his prosecution an abuse of process.
Vernon, a Jamaican citizen, was detained in Dominica and told he would be deported to Jamaica but was instead forcibly transported to Antigua and arrested. The ruling referenced Bennett v Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court (1994), affirming that proceedings must be stayed when a defendant is illegally brought into jurisdiction.
Defense counsel Andrew O’Kola condemned the authorities’ actions, emphasizing that proper legal channels exist to prevent such abuses. He stressed that immigration laws ensure fairness and transparency, which were disregarded in Vernon’s case.
This ruling sets a precedent against improper deportations and disguised extraditions, reinforcing judicial oversight against state overreach. With the case stayed, Vernon has been discharged, and the defense is calling for stricter adherence to legal procedures in future cases.
