Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paul Cheong has filed a High Court action against Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, a US-sanctioned and US-indicted businessman.
Cheong is seeking damages in excess of $10 million over an alleged defamatory Facebook publication concerning a proposed four-lane highway from Versailles to Parika.
The claim has been filed in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature’s civil jurisdiction by Attorney-at-Law Rajendra Jaigobin.
The lawsuit stems from a video published on Mohamed’s “Team Mohamed’s” Facebook page on August 11, in which he made allegations about the highway project and Cheong’s alleged involvement in a company bidding for the works.
The Statement of Claim, filed on August 17, 2026, alleges that Mohamed published a post and accompanying video on the Facebook page “Team Mohamed’s” on August 11, containing false, malicious and defamatory statements about Cheong.
Cheong is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guyana Oil Company Limited.
He is also seeking an injunction preventing Mohamed from republishing the alleged defamatory statements or similar material, an order requiring the removal of the publication from Facebook, costs and any other relief the court considers appropriate.
The legal action stems from a video in which Mohamed criticised the proposed $121 billion Versailles-to-Parika four-lane highway project and alleged corruption and misuse of public funds.
In the video, Mohamed specifically referred to L’Heureuse Construction Services and Cheong, alleging that the company had submitted a bid of more than $6.8 billion for a portion of the highway project.
Mohamed further alleged that Cheong, as GuySuCo’s CEO, was involved in billions of dollars in Government construction work while workers at the sugar corporation continued to face difficulties.
He also alleged that L’Heureuse Construction Services had been involved in the approximately $2 billion Schoonord Road project and claimed that road was already deteriorating.
However, Cheong’s Statement of Claim denies those allegations, stating that he is not the owner of L’Heureuse Construction Services or L’Heureuse Construction Services Inc.
It further states that Cheong neither submitted a bid for Government road contracts nor received any such contract.
The claimant contends that Mohamed’s publication conveyed, among other things, that he was corrupt, lacked morality and integrity, and was involved in a conflict of interest.
He also alleges that the publication suggested he was using his position at GuySuCo for financial benefit and failing to properly discharge his responsibilities because of his alleged involvement in Government contracts.
Cheong also contends that the publication portrayed him as having breached his fiduciary duties to GuySuCo and as being unfit to function in his professional capacities in business, accounting and management.
According to the claim, the publication had been viewed, shared and commented on extensively.
As of 6 a.m. on August 14, the claimant said it had attracted more than 1,300 comments and 7,800 likes and continued to generate views, reactions, shares and comments.
Cheong alleges that the publication caused serious and irreparable damage to his reputation and standing among colleagues, professionals and members of the public, while also subjecting him to ridicule and public disrepute.
He further alleges that Mohamed published the statements without conducting a full and proper investigation into their truth or accuracy and describes the publication as reckless and irresponsible.
The court documents indicate that Mohamed has 42 days after being served with the Statement of Claim to prepare and file a defence. Failure to defend the proceedings could result in judgment being entered against him in his absence.
