PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, has welcomed the ruling of a High Court that dismissed a defamation claim brought by two investment entities and their principal.
Justice Frank Seepersad, in dismissing the claims by Trillions Systems Ltd, Rose Capital Investments Ltd, and businessman James Kerron Rose, was also critical of the claimants’ failure to comply with court orders and to pursue the matter actively.
Dr. Roodal Moonilal (File Photo)
“This matter has come up on a few occasions,” Justice Seepersad said, noting that directions had been issued on July 16, 2025, for specific procedural steps to be taken, including the filing of a reply and lists of documents.
“I have no information whether a reply was filed. A list of documents was to be filed, and there was no compliance,” the judge said, adding that six months had passed with no meaningful progress.
“What concerns me is the court’s jurisdiction having been invoked, and there seems to be no interest from the claimant. With the order just granted, there is a clear indication that there is a lack of instructions as to the progress of this matter.”
The defamation suit arose from statements made by Moonilal during a September 8, 2024, press briefing streamed on the then-opposition United National Congress’s (UNC) Facebook page and shared on his personal social media accounts.
Rose and the companies alleged Moonilal had falsely and maliciously linked them to illegal quarrying, questionable state contracts, and other financial improprieties.
They claimed the statements caused reputational harm, business losses, and emotional distress, and complained that Moonilal allowed the posts to remain online without verification, correction, or apology. Moonilal denied wrongdoing and maintained that his statements were made in the public interest.
He noted that Rose and his company had been the subject of widespread public controversy involving investors. referring to media investigations and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the company. He called for swift action by the authorities and questioned the status of that probe, for what he described as the “pain and suffering of people” who have lost their money.
“Today, however, aggrieved citizens are claiming fraud and deception because they have not been able to get back any money,” Moonilal said. “They have lost their personal savings…”
Moonilal said the court’s decision clearly vindicated his position and the issues he raised – including allegations of illegal quarrying and other activities – were serious matters of public interest that warranted investigation.
He pledged to continue speaking out against injustice and wrongdoing, “regardless of the consequences.”
Attorney Jared Jagroo, who appeared with former attorney general Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan for Moonilal, told the court there had been no communication from the claimants since the matter was filed and that they had not appeared in court.
Justice Seepersad said that parties who invoke the court’s jurisdiction have a duty to advance their cases.
“The claimant has failed to comply with orders of the court and even attend court to provide any explanation. This court will not tolerate delay. The court must jealously guard its process.”
The judge dismissed the claim and ordered the claimants to pay costs in default of agreement.
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