Magistrate threatened to forfeit Azruddin Mohamed’s bail, says lateness due to slashed vehicle tyres

Last Updated on Monday, 16 February 2026, 21:17 by Writer

Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday threatened to forfeit city businessman Azruddin Mohamed’s GY$150,000 bail before deciding to rescind her arrest order issued hours before because he appeared in court late for the resumption of extradition committal proceedings.

“I’m inclined to escheat your bail and ensure that you are on time on the next occasion,” she told Mr Mohamed, Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, as he sat in the dock.

After hearing reasons from Mr Mohamed—who is wanted by the United States (US) to face trial for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering—and assurances by his lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, that he would ensure that his client is punctual for the remainder of the proceedings, she withdrew the arrest warrant and set February 18 for continuation of the committal proceedings.

Mr Azruddin’s father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed is also wanted by the US but he is ill and the magistrate expects a second medical update on that date as well.

Mr Dhurjon told the court that he would “personally take steps to ensure he is here” in future to ensure he is punctual, to which Magistrate Latchman remarked “that is a bold move.”

Prosecutor for the US, Jamaican lawyer Herbert McKenzie said it appeared that the defendant was bent on ensuring that the case drags on for five years, based on previous public utterances.

Mr Mohamed, who is the leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), earlier told the Principal Magistrate that his “reasons to justify” his 30-minute late arrival in court was because two of the tyres of his employee’s vehicle that usually transports him were slashed.

Mr Mohamed said he has several vehicles but could not drive any of them because the Guyana government had instructed insurance companies not to renew his insurance.

“I have just reasons why I’m late” to which the Principal Magistrate retorted: “In your mind, your reasons are just.”

An evidently upset Ms Latchman repeatedly said “I will not tolerate your excuses” and she would ensure that no time was wasted. “Under this court’s watch, the wheels of justice will continue to turn in a timely manner.”

Outside the courtroom, Mr Mohamed blamed the government, through the Guyana Police Force, for allegedly orchestrating his late arrival at court by cutting the wheels of his employee’s vehicle.

He said this was not the first time that a car wheel was cut. “I want to make it categorically clear I want to be pellucid that the victimisation that I’m going through in this country is unbelievable under the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) administration,” he said.

Mr Mohamed said he had “utmost respect” for the magistrate and it was only once before out of the 12 court dates that he was late by two minutes.

Defence lawyer, Roysdale Forde told reporters that he was “very surprised” by the magistrate’s earlier issuance of an arrest warrant.

He noted that Monday was not a date fixed for the prosecution to bring witnesses for the continuation of the matter.

Mr Forde said “we have the evidence” that the tyres were slashed.