He intends to present an affidavit in Supreme Court to respond to the request from the Attorney General's office. He is Jean Hubert Célérine, better known as Franklin.
Jean Hubert Célérine, alias Franklin, has, through his lawyers, contested the approach of the Office of the Attorney General (AG). It was Monday, December 4, 2023, before the Supreme Court, under the motion presented by the AG. He wishes to appeal to the King's Privy Council to challenge the judgment rendered by the Supreme Court on November 16, 2023. Judgment annulling a judgment of the Port-Louis court, which had refused bail to Franklin. The Supreme Court had ordered in its decision that Franklin's request be heard again before the Port-Louis court.
Upon appeal of the motion before Chief Justice Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, Me Alexandre Le Blanc, who represents Franklin, informed the Supreme Court that his client opposes the AG's motion. He requested time to submit an affidavit in response to the said motion. The matter will now be called on December 18, 2023. The AG was represented in the Supreme Court by Mr Doorgesh Kumar Manikaran, Principal State Attorney.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the magistrate of the Port-Louis court and the police commissioner, cited as co-defendants in the case, informed the Supreme Court that they will comply with the decision of the court in the case. The three were represented by Me Devi Kamni Ramessur, Principal State Attorney.
Franklin faces an extradition request from French authorities before the Port Louis court. He is expected in Reunion, after his conviction in absentia, on July 2, 2021, to seven years in prison for drug offenses. The verdict was pronounced by the court of Saint-Denis.
In addition, Franklin faces a provisional charge of money laundering. The Independent Commission Against Corruption suspects him of having acquired a house in La Gaulette, estimated at more than Rs 25 million. This, by using Rikesh Sumboo as a nominee in the transaction. This would have been financed by money from drug trafficking. Offense committed on June 10, 2020.
