Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has pushed back strongly against claims of political persecution raised by lawyers for US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, describing the ongoing court challenges as a deliberate attempt to stall extradition proceedings.
Speaking on his weekly programme, Issues in the News, Nandlall reminded viewers that the extradition matter is currently before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, despite repeated legal actions filed in the High Court by the defence.
He said an application seeking to stay the magistrate’s court proceedings, along with a constitutional challenge to sections of the Fugitive Offenders Act, was recently dismissed by the Chief Justice after full arguments were heard from both sides. Nandlall appeared personally in the matter, while the Mohameds were represented by a legal team led by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde.
According to the Attorney General, the Chief Justice issued a detailed written ruling rejecting the defence’s submissions and adopting the legal arguments advanced by the State. He stated that the court clearly outlined why the stay was refused and cited legal authorities in support of the decision.
Despite that ruling, Nandlall said the defence returned to the magistrate’s court and raised further objections, resulting in hours of arguments before the committal hearing could proceed. He described this as part of a calculated strategy to frustrate the extradition process.
The Attorney General also disclosed that the Mohameds have now filed a second set of proceedings in the High Court, alleging bias by the Government of Guyana, specifically by the Minister of Home Affairs, who issued the authority to proceed with the extradition request from the United States.
He explained that the defence is relying on statements made by government officials, including during the last election campaign, to argue that the extradition process is tainted by political bias. Nandlall rejected that claim, noting that the US sanctions against the Mohameds were imposed in June 2024, months before they entered politics.
Furthermore, he stated that following the sanctions, the government publicly disengaged from all business relationships with the Mohameds, including dealings involving the Guyana Gold Board, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the Bank of Guyana, in accordance with international obligations.
Nandlall stressed that the Mohameds chose to enter the political arena after the sanctions were already in place and with full knowledge that an extradition request from the United States was expected. He said political rivalry cannot be used as a shield against extradition.
The Attorney General warned that accepting such an argument would set a dangerous precedent, where any individual facing extradition could simply join politics to avoid being surrendered to a requesting state.
He further pointed out that Guyana has a long-standing record of honouring extradition requests from the United States and that there is no known instance where any Guyanese government has refused such a request once the legal requirements were met.
Meanwhile, Nandlall also addressed recent public comments by Senior Counsel Forde, accusing him of misrepresenting the law and advancing a narrative of victimhood. He said similar constitutional arguments raised by the defence were already examined and rejected by the High Court as recently as 2018.
He reaffirmed that while he has a duty to ensure the rights of all individuals are protected, he also has a responsibility to uphold Guyana’s laws, defend the Constitution, and ensure the country meets its international obligations in the fight against cross-border and organised crime.
“This is a matter of national importance,” Nandlall said, adding that the legal process must be allowed to run its course without abuse or delay.
