Knowles and others (Appellants) v The Superintendent of Her Majesty's Fox Hill Prison (The Commissioner, Bahamas Department of Correctional Services) and others (Respondents) (Bahamas)

Judgment given

Case summary
Judgment details
Appeal
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Case summary

Case ID

JCPC/2017/0095

Jurisdiction

Bahamas

Parties

Appellant(s)

Knowles and others

Respondent(s)

The Superintendent of Her Majesty's Fox Hill Prison (The Commissioner

Bahamas Department of Correctional Services) and others

Issue

Whether (i) the appellants have been deprived of their constitutional right to have their extradition proceedings determined within a reasonable time and (ii) the appellants' committal was invalid by reason of failure to comply with the requisite authentication requirements.

Facts

The appellants were alleged to have been involved in a drug trafficking operation with other Bahamians and citizens of the USA, involving importing cocaine into the USA and possessing it with an intent to distribute it. The USA sought their extradition. In November 2003, they were committed by the Magistrates' court to await extradition. This committal was upheld by the judge and the court of appeal.