Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
Opposition parties condemn govt’s vile attacks on judiciary
…Bar Association says some criticisms may be acceptable
By: Davina Bagot
Kaieteur News – The vile attacks on members of the Judiciary, by the current government, are a dangerous attempt to undermine democracy in Guyana, Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed has said.
President Irfaan Ali raising concerns on Justice Gino Persaud’s ruling
The Member of Parliament (MP) and Opposition Leader in waiting addressed the issue in a statement, referencing the recent ruling by Justice Gino Persaud on the alleged evasion of billions in taxes on imported vehicles by the Mohameds.
He said that since the ruling on November 14, 2025 President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has been constantly attacking the Judge’s decision.
This week, President Ali in a live statement after the ruling said it incentivizes falsification of documents. He stated, “It’s a ruling that was so flawed that it exposes our taxation system to criminality and fraud. For a matter of fact, the ruling of Gino Persaud is viewed by many professionals as one that can incentivize the falsification of documents.”
WIN Leader, Azruddin Mohamed
The Head of State continued, “That ruling now slated for appeal by the GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) has been widely criticized as perverse, internally inconsistent and disconnected from both established custom practice and the event intention of the Customs Act 82:01.”
Ali continued, “Many Guyanese remain baffled at how such a conclusion could have been drawn…if Justice Persaud’s decision is permitted to stand, its implications will be profoundly damaging. It would effectively erect a judicial barrier, preventing the GRA from recovering taxes rightfully owed to the state once goods have been cleared.”
For his part, Mohamed argued that the government has failed to acknowledge that the three arms of government- legislative, executive and judiciary- must work together under a system of checks and balances to govern a country.
President of the Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran
To this end he made it clear, “The scorching and repeated attack against Justice Persaud and others is one against the Judiciary. An attack on the judiciary is an attack on the democratic norms of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and these arms must be allowed to operate independently.”
The MP reasoned that there must be a separation of power, highlighting what he described as a vile attempt to discredit the Judges integrity and professionalism each time a Court rules against the government.
Further, he sent a clear message to the administration, “In this matter, the GRA and to an extent, the government has other avenues to seek redress. Stop the unwarranted attacks on the judiciary and use the same energy to address the late payment of hundreds of nurses and other struggles of grassroots Guyanese.”
Mohamed was adamant that the Judiciary must be allowed to function independently in a democratic country.
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) also raised similar concerns during a press conference on Friday.
Dexter Todd, a MP, told reporters that the party does not support any unwarranted comments directed towards members of the bench. He noted that the personal attacks on Judges from the top brass of the party undermine the independence and reputation of the judiciary.
Further, he echoed the sentiments of Mohamed, urging government to utilize a higher court if it is not satisfied with a ruling.
Additionally, the attoreny pointed out that the Bar Association too should be more attentive to such issues. He explained, “When you come out with demonstrating your government’s position on a point, it can be tantamount to intimidation. These members of the judiciary are members of society, they have families and we need to understand that type of political pressure, interference, whatever you want to term it, must be condemned.”
Meanwhile, MP Sherod Duncan sought to highlight a number of instances where top government officials discredited the judiciary. “In the issue of the parent company guarantee they said the Judge didn’t understand oil and gas matters, he wasn’t studying in this area and in the Teaching Service issue the man didn’t understand right to strike and a whole host of issues…concerning the tax regime Irfaan seems to be posturing as an expert in taxation,” he mocked.
Moreover, MP Ganesh Mahipaul questioned the silence of the Bar Association and the Judiciary on the attacks by government. He pointed out, “Outside of Madam Justice Roxane George sitting on the bench ruling in matters as a competent authority, she is also the Chancellor of the Judiciary acting so she must also protect her flock.”
In Parliament, he explained that the Speaker takes charge of the legislative arm; the President takes charge of the executive arm and the Chancellor is responsible for the Judiciary.
Acceptable criticism
In an invited comment, President of the Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran said that he will raise the statements made by President Ali with the Council.
When asked about the Association’s silence on such attacks on the judiciary by government, he explained, “Every citizen is entitled to criticize the decision of a judge but that criticism must not go beyond boundaries which are proper and permissible so while you can say I believe that this decision was wrongly reasoned, incorrect principles were applied, you cannot attack a Judge personally so there is a distinction between those two things.”
To this end, Ramkarran noted that when the issue is discussed at the level of the Bar Association, the body will determine whether President Ali’s comments or any other government official accused of attacking Judges went beyond acceptable criticism.
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Weekend Cartoon
Pres. Ali, Anil Nandlall, Jagdeo should have never criticized Justice Gino Persaud’s decisions on the GRA mismanagement under Godfrey Statia’s
Azruddin Mohamed case blunders. All these fools need to do was be silent,
allow the Appeals to move forward in finality at the CCJ.
The various branches of Government, include the Judiciary which is not
independent when the judge face criticisms for rulings against the GRA, Tax arm of the Government. Next thing, Ali’s government will arrest these judges and
jail them for their decisions against the Government.