Speaking to the media as he exited the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday, embattled businessman Azruddin Mohamed described President Irfaan Ali as “dishonest and dishonorable.” Mohamed had appeared in court to answer charges of tax evasion related to the importation of a luxury vehicle.
Mohamed maintains that the tax clearance for his vehicles was facilitated by senior members of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), specifically General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and President Irfaan Ali.
According to Mohamed, he engaged with both Jagdeo and Ali between August and September 2020 regarding the matter. He claims that it was the Vice President who advised him to speak with the President. The PPP returned to government on August 2, 2020.
Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed have previously declared that they funded the PPP during its time in Opposition and continued to do so once it returned to government. Proof of the close relationship is evident in the use of one of Mohamed’s personal vehicles by President Ali during his swearing-in ceremony—complete with the presidential seal, a first in Guyanese history.
Demonstrating his resolve not to shoulder the blame alone, Mohamed said he was reminded of President Ali when he entered the courtroom and saw the three Holy Books—the Bible, the Quran, and the Gita—used for swearing in before testimony. Mohamed and Ali are Muslims.
“As a Muslim brother to another Muslim brother it’s such a great sin when it comes to backbiting and stabbing your own Muslim brother in the back. It’s like eating the flesh of your dead brother – that’s a verse in the Holy Book,” Mohamed stated.
He went further, declaring, “Irfaan Ali is nothing more than a dishonest and dishonorable person.”
The businessman also claimed he has evidence of the President’s involvement in facilitating the clearance of the Lamborghini. “I am waiting for him to say that it is a lie; and trust me, anytime he comes out and says it is a lie, I’ll show the whole country how dishonourable he is,” Mohamed warned.
Mohamed has been charged with tax evasion and making a false declaration concerning a Lamborghini. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $500,000.
The first charge alleges that on or about December 7, 2020, at Lot 201 Camp Street, Georgetown, Mohamed submitted a false declaration to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), claiming that a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster SVJ, equipped with a 6500cc engine, was purchased for US$75,300, instead of its actual price of US$695,000.
The second charge claims that Mohamed falsely declared the vehicle’s value on customs declaration number GY404/2020/C21809, resulting in tax evasion amounting to $383,383,345.
Mohamed is being represented by attorneys-at-law Darren Wade and Damian DaSilva. Thus far, he has enjoyed some success in his ongoing legal battle with the government.
