Mohameds’ extradition case adjourned to February 5

The extradition hearing involving United States (US)-indicted businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed was adjourned to February 5, with Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman ruling that the prosecution would not be allowed to make any further disclosures in the proceedings.
During Thursday’s hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the prosecution sought to introduce a statement from Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on the existence of extradition arrangements between Guyana and the US.
This was strongly objected to by defence lawyers for the Mohameds, with Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon accusing the prosecution of wanting to “patch a gap” when the proceedings are well underway – an argument that Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde supported and requested time from the court to review and respond to the new material.
In response, however, the prosecution, led by King’s Counsel Terrence Williams, contended that the disclosure was made “out of an abundance of caution” only after new material came into the prosecution’s possession the previous day. Williams argued that the prosecution has a duty to disclose new evidence that comes into its possession, something which he maintains can be done even after the prosecution closes its case.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the Magistrate allowed the Minister’s statement to be admitted into the proceedings but cautioned the prosecution that no further disclosures would be allowed.
“This is not a game of chess,” Magistrate Latchman declared, noting that the defence must be afforded adequate time to obtain further instructions in light of the new information presented by the prosecution.
Consequently, the extradition hearing was adjourned to February 5 and 6, 2026.
Speaking with reporters outside the courtroom, Williams clarified that there was no deficiency in the prosecution’s case that resulted in the late submission.
“This is a big song and dance over a very trivial formal issue… A lot is being made out by defence counsels regarding it,” he stated.
According to Williams, in Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act, there is a provision for the Foreign Minister to prove existing extradition arrangements with a certificate.
“That act that the Minister performs…the content of which or the foundation for which has been confirmed by the courts on many occasions, that is, that there is an extradition arrangement in existence between Guyana and the United States,” Williams stated.
Meanwhile, Attorney Dhurjon told reporters outside the court that with the admission of this new disclosure, the defence will get an opportunity to cross-examine the Minister and he is confident that the “glaring holes” in the prosecution’s case will come to light.
The extradition proceedings against the Mohameds commenced on Tuesday in the Magistrates’ Court.
The extradition request was made by US authorities seeking the surrender of the Mohameds to face charges filed in the Southern District of Florida. An 11-count grand jury indictment accuses them of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering in connection with alleged financial crimes involving gold exports. The proceedings are being conducted under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act pursuant to an extradition treaty between Guyana and the US.
The businessmen had moved to the High Court to block the extradition proceedings, but this application was rejected by Chief Justice Navindra Singh on Monday, thus paving the way for the extradition hearing to get underway.
In fact, during Tuesday’s session, Magistrate Latchman had ruled that the matter could not be paused in the absence of a formal stay from a superior court. This was after the defence team argued that proceeding with the committal process while appeals and judicial review proceedings remain pending would expose the Mohameds to serious prejudice.
Both Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed remain on bail as the committal hearing continues.