MATTHEWS LANE strongman, Donald "Zekes" Phipps, was among several persons who were forced to make a hasty retreat from the Corporate Area Criminal Court yesterday, due to a bomb scare.
Phipps was in court answering to the charges of: illegal possession of ammunition, possession of and dealing in ganja, and unlawful possession of pharmaceutical items. He is scheduled to return on January 11, 2005.
SECURITY CONCERN
Phipps' attorney Churchill Neita Q.C. told The Gleaner that court was in session when he was informed by Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle that there was a security concern. The court was subsequently adjourned and resumed about an hour later.
The police were called in and the court facilities searched. No explosives were found. Contacted yesterday, Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas said it was not unsual for the authorties at the courts to receive hoax calls, during high profile cases, such as the one involving Mr. Phipps.
DCP Thomas noted that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
MONEY NOT RETURNED
Commenting on the seizure of over $9-million which was taken from the Matthews Lane area leader at the time of his arrest several weeks ago, Mr. Neita said he has been patiently waiting on the police to return the money.
"It would seem as if the police are giving me the run around," he said.
The attorney-at-law said he would be exhausting all avenues before resorting to legal action.
