Azruddin Mohamed fails to invoke Opposition Leader’s position to seek further adjournment

Last Updated on Thursday, 5 February 2026, 21:42 by Writer

United States (US)-indicted Guyanese billionaire gold dealer Azruddin Mohamed on Thursday failed in his bid to obtain a further adjournment of his extradition committal hearing in the magistrate’s court on the grounds that he had budgetary responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition.

“It is his constitutional duty, Madam, as Leader of the Opposition and as a Member of Parliament to be able to dedicate his focus and his energies at least during this period, which is this week and next week, Madam, because next week as well they would be involved in the consideration of estimates line by line, if you will, Madam, so we would admit, Madam, that it would be in the public interest for this adjournment to be facilitated,” Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon told the court presided by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

After hearing Jamaican Attorney-at-Law, Terrence Williams, representing the US interests in the proceedings, Ms Latchman ruled that the case must continue. “With respect to the adjournment, the request for the adjournment on today’s date, let us proceed with the matter. We have to proceed with this matter on today’s date. We will also proceed with the matter tomorrow (Friday),” the Principal Magistrate said.

Before her ruling, Mr Dhurjon elaborated that Mr Mohamed was not merely required to recite a speech before the National Assembly but he needed to be present to glean the salient points from the hours of discourse and respond to concerns raised by the government side. He deemed as “unfair” to go ahead with the committal proceedings. Mr Dhurjon also said that Mr Mohamed informed him that he had a migraine and he was on “certain medication”.

Mr Williams said he opposed the request for adjournment “even if every day that we come to the battle” whenever such is made. He said the proceedings would not be lasting long and there would be no conflict between the morning court sitting and the late afternoon parliamentary sittings that Mr Mohamed would have to attend. That includes Friday’s sitting when he is due to speak late in the day. “But as a matter of law, this is the public interest we respectfully submit ought to weigh heavily in favour of this state abiding by its treaty obligations,” the Prosecutor for the US said.

He added that the extradition request was based on a treaty with the US and so the matter should be treated with “reasonable expedition.”As a matter of law, it has never been the case where sittings of Parliament trump the proceedings in a criminal court. It has never been the case,” he added. He further argued that the criminal court has, as a constitutional matter, its supremacy regarding its own sittings and its own proceedings.

Mr Dhurjon said the Chief Justice handed down a ruling in one of the Mohameds’ – Azruddin and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed – and that it would be appealed before the Guyana Court of Appeal.

The Mohameds are wanted by the US to face trial for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.