BY KEDIESHA PERRY/ Observer writer—
Popcaan
Attorney-at-law representing Popcaan, Bert Samuels, filed a defamation suit against the Government of Jamaica on behalf of his client on Friday.
The dancehall deejay — who is currently in London for a concert — was incensed by a Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) press release issued on July 6, 2022 which alleged that he was arrested for the possession of cocaine in Barbados in 2011.
The JCF had issued the release in response to allegations by the entertainer that the Government of Jamaica placed a stop order against him resulting in him being detained in the United Kingdom.
Samuels — who is a senior partner in the downtown Kingston headquartered law firm Knight, Junior & Samuels — took to Twitter shortly after it was filed.
“On Popcaan’s instructions, claim filed in the Supreme Court at 9:30 am this morning, July 8, 2022 against the Jamaica Constabulary Force relating to their press release dated the 6th of July 2022 accusing him of arrests and convictions in Barbados for drugs,” Samuels tweeted.
The attorney general is named as the defendant.
According to the claim, the Jamaica Constabulary Force “falsely, maliciously and/or without reasonable or probable cause published and/or caused to be published…”
The suit states that Popcaan, whose given name is Andrae Sutherland, has never been arrested in Barbados or any other place for possession of cocaine and, his conviction in relation to marijuana, was expunged in the Eastern Caribbean island.
Popcaan is claiming general damages, damages for defamation, interest, legal costs and any further relief that the court may deem fit.
Popcaan came to prominence in 2010 with his mentor Vybz Kartel on Clarks. His subsequent hits include Only Man She Want, Party Shot, and Dream.
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