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‘Pres. Ali told me to pay $25M on vehicle but I paid $50M instead’- Azruddin Mohamed says as he releases proof
Kaieteur News- After being challenged by President Irfaan Ali and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo to release evidence of their alleged involvement in the purchase and clearance of a luxury vehicle, businessman and presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed has revealed private messages with the head of state who not only approved the taxes to be paid on the vehicle, but offered to slash the duty in half.
Azruddin Mohamed revealing evidence of President Irfaan Ali’s connection to the purchase and clearance of his Lamborghini.
Early Monday morning, Mohamed released a video of WhatsApp conversations between himself and the president. According to the video, the exchange began on September 30, 2020 about the purchase of a Lamborghini by the young Mohamed, who claimed that this was merely the “first tranche” of evidence he possesses.
He said, “With his (President Ali’s) approval on October 7, 2020, the Lamborghini was bought for US$75,000,300. Irfaan is in receipt of that invoice, as seen in the messages. While they said that they don’t have any proof. Here it is.”
Mohamed said the payment was made through Republic Bank and the invoice was sent to Ali on December 8, 2020.
Tax payments
Azruddin Mohamed who has since declared his intention to contest this year’s September 1, general and regional elections, said he messaged the president on September 30, 2020, to enquire if he could pay $50 million in taxes to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the vehicle.
“On October 6, 2020, I missed a call from Irfaan. He messaged (to say) call him. So, I returned the call. And I told him that I want to pay $50 million duty if that would be a problem, because I saw the Lamborghini was selling for around US$75,000 because it had some electrical issues, and it was COVID time, so I got a good deal on the car. He said, wow, that’s a lot of money. Why so much? Why you don’t pay $25 million in duty? I said, no, based on what the car is selling for, when you calculate the taxes, it’s 50 million.”
President Irfaan Ali
The businessman said he also informed the president that taxes on luxury vehicles are extremely high in Guyana compared to other Caribbean countries as citizens here are forced to pay 300% in taxes.
Nevertheless, the political opponent showed messages that on December 7, 2020, he informed Ali that the car was cleared and the $50 million in duty was paid. Reading from his cellular device, Mohamed said, “I messaged him, and I thanked him. Chief, all good with the car thanks.”
Subsequently, Mohamed shared another encounter he had with the president on January 14, 2021. He explained, “Well, I had to wait to get a special number – PZZ 4000. So, it took a couple weeks for the number to reach close to that number. So, I submitted the documents to register the car and they called and said they have some issues with (Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey) Statia. He doesn’t want to register the car. So, I sent Irfaan these messages. Chief, I sent to register the Lamborghini today at license office and Statia told them not to register it until he gives instructions.”
The president in the messages assured that the issue would be dealt with. The following day when the businessman sent a reminder to Ali of his commitment, the president disclosed “matter sorted”. When Mohamed finally received his registration, he also updated Ali, as seen in the messages.
Charge the President!
As Azruddin Mohamed faces charges for tax evasion and false declaration, he called for President Ali to also face charges for facilitating the transaction. In fact, he urged the head of state to step down in light of his dishonesty.
He reasoned, “I was charged for tax evasion and false declaration, do you think that Irfaan Ali should have been charged too? He is an accomplice in this, but no, he instructed GRA to seize the car and instructed GRA to charge me. This is a full-blown dictatorship government presently… I ask of you to let good sense prevail, and I will now ask Irfaan to demit office.”
Screenshot of conversation between President Ali and Azruddin Mohamed on the $50M tax payment to GRA
The presidential candidate questioned why after five years, the PPP has now decided to review documents, which it previously accepted, even as he accused the ruling party of political victimisation.
He said, “The PPP’s grip on power is slipping. They are showing their desperation, their weapon, political victimisation, now clutching straws. PPP has intensified its political victimisation against my family and myself, a burden which resonates with many of us. Guyanese have long lived in fear of speaking up or challenging the corrupt regime, for fear of victimisation, an age-old tactic which we recognise and will continue to challenge.”
Mohamed believes he is being targeted by the administration over their fear of him contesting the elections. He argued, “As a fellow Muslim brother, Irfaan Ali continues to disappoint us. His deception dishonours our fate and our nation, and for what? Fear! Fear that my announcement to run for presidency was well received by Guyanese both at home and abroad?”
Ali admits
Meanwhile, President Ali in a statement shared to his Facebook account admitted that he was contacted by Azruddin Mohamed about the transaction. He however maintained that he was unaware of the true value of the luxury vehicle.
Mohamed displays a copy of the invoice that was shared with the President showing the cost of the vehicle
Ali explained, “My number is no secret. It is the same number I have had in and out of government, so having my number is nothing special. Thousands of Guyanese continue to contact me on various matters. As I stated before, at no time did Azruddin Mohamed present any invoice for US$695,000, which we now know is the true and correct value of the car. Instead, he reaffirmed and confirmed his lies that the invoice he shared and presented to GRA was US$75,000.”
The president, who shared a close relationship with the Mohameds during the 2020 elections, said government is also now aware of a series of financial transfers made to the company which verifies the actual cost of the Lamborghini.
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Irfan Ali is in deep shit here.
He facilitated the registering of the vehicle despite Statia, the GRA chief
refused to register initially.
He is part and parcel of this agreement, HE also helped stiffed Guyana
of the taxes.
That’s good, since GRA accepted the initial docs to register vehicle.
Now, what was Jagdeo’s part in all this ? Waiting to hear directly from him.
He may be also, part and parcel of this, that the court will review and threw
out the GRA’s claim for millions $$$$ more in taxes.