Laywer for Fya Empress issues ultimatum to TUCO

Attorney at Law Keith Scotland has written to the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) demanding that they “Immediately and forthwith” reinstate Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd-Reid as a finalist in the National Calypso Monarch Competition scheduled for this Sunday in Trinidad.

Scotland’s February 22 letter comes on the heels of TUCO’s removal of Nedd-Reid from the National Calypso Monarch finals due to calypsonian’s Lynette “Lady Gypsy” Steele and her lawyer’s pre-action protocol letter, stating that Nedd-Reid is not eligible to take part in the competition because of her nationality.

Steele’s lawyer, Gerald Ramdeen, in the letter to TUCO said that Rule 2.7 of TUCO’s adjudication handbook states only Trinidad and Tobago citizens over the age of 16 are allowed to participate in the competition.

Nedd-Reid is a Vincentian.

But in response, Scotland said that Nedd-Reid should be put back into the competition before 12 p.m. on Thursday February 23 and TUCO should pay costs “to date in the sum of $5,000.00”.

“If you fail to comply with any of the above-given demands, we have firm instructions from our clients to thereafter and forthwith and without more to file for injunctive relief, against you, without further notice to compel you so to do,” said Scotland in his letter to TUCO’s president Lutalo Masimba. 



Scotland said that while Nedd-Reid is a citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she has resided in Trinidad and Tobago for over 15 years and has been registered with TUCO since around 2007 and has participated and won several Soca and Calypso titles within the jurisdiction.

“Our client is the 2007, 2009 and 2010 Tobago Soca Monarch, 2012 National Calypso winner and the 2014 Tobago Calypso Monarch and has participated in numerous other competitions governed by your organisation.

“Our client has been married to a Trinidad and Tobago national since 2002 and has applied for Permanent Residency since in or around 2004.

However, from the outset, our client was never advised of a requirement that she must be a national of Trinidad and Tobago to belong to your organization or to participate in your competitions,” noted Scotland.

He said that Nedd-Reid registered with TUCO with her St. Vincent Identification Card and informed the organisation of her place of birth.

He further noted that she voted in the organization’s elections using her St. Vincent Identification Card, which was accepted by TUCO.

“We contend that by virtue of our client’s long, undisturbed and frequent participation within your organisation, our client now has a legitimate expectation to participate in the National Calypso Monarch Competition 2017. We also wish to direct your attention to the fact that one cannot use the Adjudication Handbook 2017 to determine any issues to this matter, as our client is not a new member but a long standing member,” Scotland stressed.

He said that if TUCO does not comply with Nedd Reid’s demands within the stipulated time, or should TUCO fail to respond to the letter within the stipulated period, legal proceedings will be instituted.