Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes is no longer representing the interests of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. Confirming this with Guyana Standard was Andrew Pollard, SC, Partner at Hughes, Fields and Stoby. Pollard said he is the exclusive manager of ExxonMobil Guyana’s account with the firm, adding that there was only one case for which Hughes was retained but he subsequently withdrew.
“Mr Hughes is a member of the firm. Exxon retains our firm but I have always provided (representation) from 2002 or 2003. I have been the partner in the firm who provided active management of their account. I have provided legal advice and representation to them and on a continuous basis since then,” said Pollard.
The Senior Counsel said Hughes only acted once in a matter where the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had sued Exxon over an allegation that it had caused a false declaration to be made by a former broker, Ramps Logistics. “Nigel had assisted us because of his undoubted expertise in criminal law and that was a criminal matter. But other than that, he does not take any part in active representation of the company,” Pollard said.
This news agency also enquired about revenues paid to the firm by Exxon and if these are shared with Hughes or ring-fenced. Guyana Standard indicated that this question was premised on previous comments by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo that Hughes is on Exxon’s payroll.
“That would depend on how the firm is set up and there are many ways a firm or partnership is set up. There is no one fixed format and so the way we share revenues is not automatic at all, revenues are not automatically shared with all of the partners,” said Pollard. He also expressed his reluctance to comment further on the firm’s financial arrangements noting, “I don’t think that is your readership’s concern or a legitimate area of concern to your readership.”
Additionally, Pollard reiterated that Hughes has since withdrawn from providing any representation in the case involving GRA and Ramps Logistics. He said Hughes was the one who made the decision to recuse himself following controversial comments made by the Vice President as well as concerns from within the AFC.
Guyana Standard was also able to confirm with officials at ExxonMobil that Hughes no longer represents their legal interests.
