Attorneys representing businessman Nazar Mohamed and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed have demanded that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) withdraw a public statement concerning the destruction of records referenced during the ongoing extradition proceedings, arguing that the statement does not accurately reflect the sworn testimony of the Force’s own witness.
The demand was contained in a September 18, 2026 letter from Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde of Forde, Amsterdam & Lewis to Police Commissioner Dr Clifton Hicken.
The dispute arose after the GPF issued a clarification concerning reports about records discussed during the committal proceedings before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman. In the statement, the Force rejected “any suggestion that documents of evidential value relating to the proceedings were destroyed.”
According to the GPF, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, head of Special Branch, testified that personal working notes used in preparing his statement had been disposed of in the official incinerator at Special Branch in accordance with established procedures for sensitive documents that were no longer required.
The Force also said Narine testified that the notes contained no information of evidential value and that relevant information had already been incorporated into his official statement.
Forde, however, disputes that characterisation.
In his letter to Hicken, he contended that Narine did not give the evidence attributed to him in the police statement and accused the GPF of publicly contradicting its own witness while he remains under cross-examination.
“The witness gave none of that evidence,”
Forde reportedly wrote, according to the letter cited by the defence.
The defence says Narine testified that he personally shredded and burned three personal books in January 2026 at an area near a condemned furnace within the Special Branch compound. During questioning, Narine reportedly said the disposal was connected to his obligations concerning information he regarded as secret.
The court was also told that one of the destroyed records contained information concerning an interaction involving the Mohameds and a United States law-enforcement official following their October 31, 2025 arrests. Narine acknowledged that the interaction occurred within his view, although he said he could not hear the conversation.
The defence has focused on whether the destroyed notes contained information that was not reflected in the official records presented to the court.
During questioning, Narine was asked whether he disposed of the records because of what they might contain. The defence says he answered:
“Yes madam.”
Forde’s letter argues that whether material has evidential value is ultimately a matter for the court to determine, rather than a conclusion that should be publicly attributed to the police.
The lawyers have given Commissioner Hicken until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, to publicly retract the statement, identify the person or persons who authorised its release, preserve communications relating to the statement and cease public commentary on the pending proceedings.
The defence has also indicated that it intends to seek witness summonses for relevant GPF communications personnel and has reserved its right to approach the High Court.
The GPF’s position remains that official records relevant to the extradition proceedings—including Narine’s statement, the Station Diary, executed arrest warrants and other documents—were preserved and tendered before the court, and that the material destroyed consisted of personal working notes rather than evidential records.
The extradition proceedings against the father and son concern a request by the United States and have already generated litigation before Guyana’s superior courts. In July, the Caribbean Court of Justice dismissed an appeal by the Mohameds, clearing the way for the substantive proceedings to resume.
The matter remains before Chief Magistrate Latchman, with Narine’s evidence continuing to be tested under cross-examination.
