CCJ to Rule July 29 in Mohameds’ Extradition Appeal

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is scheduled to deliver its ruling on July 29 in the extradition appeal filed by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, a decision that will determine whether extradition proceedings against the pair can resume in Guyana.

The appeal was argued before the region’s highest court on April 21, with the Mohameds represented by a legal team led by Fyard Hosein, S.C. of Trinidad and Tobago. The defence team also included Roysdale A. Forde, S.C., Siand Dhurjon, Damien Da Silva, and Aadam Hosein.

Representing the respondents were Douglas Mendes, S.C. and Clay Hackett for the Minister of Home Affairs; Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna Lall, and State Counsel Dishon Persaud for the Attorney General; while Arudranauth Gossai appeared for Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The CCJ reserved its decision after hearing arguments and granted an interim stay of the extradition proceedings, which remains in effect until judgment is delivered.

At the heart of the appeal is the legality of the Authority to Proceed (ATP) issued by the Minister of Home Affairs following an extradition request from the United States. The Mohameds argue that the minister’s decision was tainted by bias and should therefore be declared invalid.

During the hearing, Hosein argued that the ATP should be quashed because of alleged apparent bias in the minister’s decision-making. Forde submitted that if bias were found, the statutory function could instead be exercised by another impartial decision-maker .

The Government has rejected those arguments, maintaining that the minister’s role in issuing the ATP is administrative and executive in nature and that the allegations of bias have no legal foundation.

The appeal reached the CCJ after both the High Court and the Guyana Court of Appeal dismissed the Mohameds’ judicial review challenge and upheld the validity of the ATP.

The extradition proceedings arose after the United States submitted a formal request to Guyana on October 30, 2025. The following day, the Minister of Home Affairs issued the ATP, and arrest warrants were granted, commencing committal proceedings before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The Mohameds, who were sanctioned by the United States in June 2024, are sought by U.S. authorities in connection with an 11-count indictment alleging conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. They have denied the allegations.

The CCJ’s decision on July 29 is expected to determine whether the extradition proceedings before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court will resume or whether the appeal will alter the course of the case, bringing a significant chapter in the long-running legal battle closer to resolution.