Extradition case against Mohamed duo advances despite defence appeal

Extradition proceedings involving businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, moved ahead on Tuesday after a Georgetown Magistrate declined to suspend the matter, despite an appeal being filed by the defence.

Presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ruled that there was no legal basis to pause the proceedings, stating unequivocally that no court had ordered a stay. She subsequently directed the prosecution to begin presenting its case.

The defence had earlier served the Magistrate with a Notice of Appeal to the Full Court, challenging Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh’s recent decision not to halt the extradition process. Attorneys argued that the matter should be put on hold while constitutional questions raised in their application are examined by the High Court.

However, Magistrate Latchman maintained that until a stay is formally granted by a superior court, the extradition committal hearing must proceed. As a result, the prosecution was permitted to continue despite the pending appeal.

The appeal before the Full Court seeks temporary relief to suspend the extradition proceedings while the constitutional issues are adjudicated. In the absence of such an order, the Magistrate ruled that the court was obliged to continue hearing the matter.

With the court preparing to move into the evidence phase, Sharon Roopchand, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is expected to take the stand as the prosecution’s first witness.

The decision followed submissions from prosecutors, led by King’s Counsel Terrence Williams, who contended that in the absence of a formal stay, the committal hearing could not be lawfully paused, a position the Magistrate ultimately endorsed.

The extradition proceedings stem from a request by United States authorities, who are seeking the surrender of Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, in relation to federal criminal charges filed in the Southern District of Florida. The pair are accused of involvement in alleged financial crimes connected to gold exports, including fraud and money-laundering offences.

The matter is being conducted under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act and an existing extradition treaty between Guyana and the United States. Since the proceedings commenced in late 2025, the defence has mounted several legal challenges, including constitutional arguments and applications aimed at halting or delaying the committal process.

On Monday, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh dismissed an application seeking to stay the extradition proceedings, clearing the way for the matter to continue in the magistrates’ court. Although the defence has since filed an appeal to the Full Court, no order has been issued granting a suspension of the proceedings.

Both men are currently on bail, subject to conditions imposed by the court, as the extradition hearing continues.