The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has taken issue with its head, Joseph M. Matalon, being made a co-defendant in an action filed in court by Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne.

The motion filed by Lightbourne on April 14 named Matalon and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller as co-defendants with Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke in a request for a declaration by the court on her authority and powers in matters relating to extradition under the Extradition Act.

The subject of an extradition order by the United States for Coke was also referenced in the motion. Coke is wanted in the US on drug and gun-running charges.

In a statement yes-terday, the PSOJ said "(it) does not believe it is a proper party to this action and has, therefore, instructed its legal counsel to apply to the court to have its name struck out as a defendant in the action".

In rehashing an earlier statement made by the PSOJ on the extradition matter, the business group said the statement nowhere sought to question the "right or authority of the minister to decline ... the extradition request".

In March, the PSOJ said it disagreed with the Government's reluctance to sign the extradition request for Coke.