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High Court defers ruling on Mohamed extradition case
(Kaieteur News) – The high court ruling in the extradition matter involving father and son, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, has been postponed.
The case relates to high court submissions including a judicial review challenging the Minister of Home Affairs’ Authority to Proceed (ATP), as well as a constitutional challenge to sections of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act of 2009. The rulings, which were expected to be delivered on Monday, have now been rescheduled for February 9 and 16.
Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh will deliver both rulings. The judicial review decision is expected on February 9, while the ruling on the constitutional challenge will be delivered on February 16.
Father and Son (left) Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed.
On January 15, the Mohameds’ legal team including Roysdale Forde, SC, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva, filed a constitutional motion challenging the 2009 amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Act. This was filed alongside a judicial review application alleging bias by the government and specifically the Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond.
Submissions were made during high court proceedings where Justice Singh heard arguments from attorneys representing the Mohameds. The defense contended that the authorisation of the extradition process was tainted by political bias, particularly due to Azruddin Mohamed’s recent entry into politics and alleged rivalry with the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The defense argued that since entering the political arena in early 2025, Azruddin Mohamed has become a political opponent of the PPP/C, and that this rivalry influenced the minister’s decision to authorise the extradition proceedings.
However, the prosecution maintained that the minister fully complied with the law and that bias played no role in the decision to authorise extradition.
During the proceedings, attorney Forde advanced submissions focusing on Section 8(3)(b) of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act 2009. The defense argued that Guyana’s extradition arrangement with the United States is deficient because it does not expressly guarantee that a person extradited to the U.S. cannot be re-extradited to a third country without the prior consent of the Government of Guyana.
Forde further contended that Section 8(3)(b) prohibits extradition to the United States unless safeguards are in place to prevent re-extradition without Guyana’s approval.
Justice Singh had initially reserved his ruling for February 2. However, on Monday at the high court, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, who is representing the state, told the press that he received an email late Sunday evening indicating that the ruling had been adjourned to the later dates. No reason was provided for the postponement.
Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed are facing a federal indictment in Miami, Florida, following the unsealing of a 25-page indictment on October 2, 2025. The indictment alleges that they orchestrated an extensive fraud and money-laundering scheme involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties owed to Guyana.
Following a request from the United States, Minister Waldron signed the Authority to Proceed (ATP), allowing the extradition matter to advance before the Magistrates’ Court. If sufficient evidence is presented, the magistrate may approve the Mohameds’ extradition to face charges overseas.
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