Judgment for our client — Mannette v Robinson, CV2025-03649

On 15th September 2026, the High Court of Justice entered judgment for our client, Ms. Tonja-Melanie Mannette, in her libel claim arising from a Facebook Live broadcast that named her — a public officer within the Ministry of National Security — as part of an alleged “silent coup” and the infiltration of the Strategic Services Agency.

The Hon. Mr. Justice Westmin R.A. James awarded $250,000.00 in damages inclusive of aggravated damages, granted a permanent injunction against republication, and awarded costs of $47,131.85.

Every defence failed. Applying Ramadhar v Ramadhar [2020] UKPC 7, the Court found a Chase level 2 meaning and held that our client’s SSA employment and church membership were two neutral facts incapable of proving the defamatory sting. Applying Reynolds, Bonnick and Jameel, it held that the public importance of a subject does not license attaching an unverified allegation of grave misconduct to a private individual — least of all without seeking her comment before naming her.

We commend Justice James and the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago on the expedition shown: claim filed 11th September 2025, fully reasoned written judgment delivered 15th September 2026.

Counsel for the Claimant: Farai Hove Masaisai Senior Partner, Mpule Williams Junior Associate and Chelsea Edwards Junior Associate.

#Defamation #MediaLaw #TrinidadAndTobago