Appeal Court rules out political bias, Mohamed extradition request stands

Mar 17, 2026 Court Journal, News

The Court of Appeal today handed down a decision effectively ruling out that there was any political bias involved the State’s pursuit of extradition request by US authorities for businessman turned politician, Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed. The Mohameds are facing a federal indictment in Miami, United States, following the unsealing of a 25-page indictment on October 2, 2025. The indictment alleges a wide-ranging 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 formal request from the United States, Minister Walrond signed the Authority to Proceed, allowing the extradition matter to proceed before the magistrates’ court. If sufficient evidence is established during committal proceedings, the magistrate could order the Mohameds’ extradition to face charges in the United States.

Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed

The appeal stems from an earlier high court ruling involving a judicial review challenge to the Minister of Home Affairs’ Authority to Proceed (ATP) in the extradition case, as well as a constitutional challenge to sections of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act 2009. On February 4, 2026, the high court dismissed the judicial review application, which had alleged bias by the government, particularly by Minister Walrond.

Today, Chancellor (Ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George gave a virtual account of the ruling that was unanimously endorsed by Appeal Court Justices Rishi Persaud and Nareshwar Harnanan.

According to the Chancellor, the Appeal Court found no merit in the application to overturn the initial decision of the Chief Justice (Ag) Navindra Singh where he found that the allegation of bias was not made out, because the mere fact that Mohamed is the Leader of the Opposition and the Minister is a member of government. The CJ found this did not establish bad faith, improper purpose, predetermination or unlawful bias in the exercise of the statutory power to issue the ATP.

The CJ dismissed contention raised by attorneys representing the embattled businessman. He held that the minister’s decision to issue the ATP was an executive and not a judicial decision that can attract the consideration of bias.

“Therefore, on the facts of this case, bias does not arise. It is not a case of the minister having to make a decision as between two competing parties or competing positions once the statutory provisions have been met in carrying out this function, Once the minister dresses her mind to and has complied with the statutory considerations and requirements regarding the issuance of an ATP, the ATP must be issued,” the Chancellor said

Given the court’s decision, Justice George said the court is of the view that there’s no need to address the issues raised in the minister’s notice of intention to vary decision of the Chief Justice so this is the disposition of the case.

“The court is of the opinion that this appeal has absolutely no merit. Therefore, the appeal is dismissed with costs to the Minister of Home Affairs and to the Attorney General in the sum of one point million dollars each, $1.5 million each.” the Chancellor added.

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