Watson appears in court

(CNS): The former chair of the Health Services Authority appeared in Summary Court Tuesday before Magistrate Grace Donalds facing a list of corruption related offences. Canover Watson, who was charged by police last week, remained silent during the brief committal hearing as the five charges against him, which include money laundering, breach of trust and fraud, were transmitted to the Grand Court. Watson was bailed to appear in the higher court on Friday 28 November. Watson, the winner of the 2007 Young Caymanian Leadership Award, who was represented by Ben Tonner, was ordered to report to George Town police station on Wednesdays as an additional condition of his bail.

The court heard that the local businessman and former FIFA executive, who is a prominent face in the local community having served on a number of government boards and committees, has already surrendered his passport and must reside at his Prospect home.

Toyin Salaco, the prosecuting attorney in the case, explained that three of the charges are category A offences and as the two remaining B offences arise out of the same allegations they would also be transmitted to the higher court.

Watson publicly denied the allegations following his arrest earlier this year but has made no public comment since he was charged by anti-corruption cops on Thursday.

It is understood that the charges against Watson relate to the award of a more than $11 million contract for a health care card pay system at the George Town Hospital when he was chair of the HSA board.