US-deported Guyanese man charged with murder of gay sex worker

A Guyanese man, who was arrested in the United States (U.S.) and deported to Guyana last weekend, was on Monday arraigned for the murder of a gay man 11 years ago, police said.

Kanand Ojha is accused of the murder of Noel “Nephi” Luther on July 22, 2015.

He was arrested on September 8, 2025 in New York, and arrested by Guyanese police on arrival at the Eugene F. Correia “Ogle” International Airport on September 18, 2025.

Mr Ojha was not required to plea to the charge after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The accused was remanded to prison and the case was adjourned to October 12, 2026.

Mr Ojha was arrested in Queens, New York as a result of continuous collaboration and cooperation between the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers and authorities in the U.S. under the Hemispheric Network for Legal Cooperation on Criminal Matters.

Mr Ojha’s last known address in Guyana was given as Lot 2 First Street, Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara.

A wanted bulletin was issued for Ojha in July, 2019 in relation to the killing of Luther, a sex worker, who was shot at Carmichael and Quamina Streets.

It is alleged that Luther was shot once to his chest during a confrontation with Ojha and his friend Ron ‘Andel’ Forde.

Forde was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June, 2017 after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the killing of Luther.

Over the years, Guyana and U.S. law enforcement agencies have strengthened their relationship and this has led to mutual cooperation in criminal investigations by virtue of which criminal investigations have been pursued in both jurisdictions leading to the arrest of fugitives in both countries and their extradition or deportation to stand trial in the country where they have committed offences.