A high-stakes legal drama unfolded in Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday as Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman threatened to forfeit opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed’s GY$150,000 bail following his delayed appearance for extradition proceedings. The case, which has significant political implications, saw Magistrate Latchman initially issue an arrest warrant before rescinding it after hearing Mohamed’s explanation and receiving assurances from his legal counsel.
Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and a prominent opposition figure, attributed his 30-minute tardiness to alleged sabotage, claiming two tires on his employee’s vehicle had been deliberately slashed. He further asserted that government interference prevented him from using his other vehicles, citing instructions to insurance companies to deny coverage renewals.
The judicial proceedings revealed tensions between the court’s demand for punctuality and the defendant’s claims of political persecution. Prosecutor Herbert McKenzie, representing US interests, suggested deliberate delay tactics by the defense, referencing previous public statements indicating a potential five-year prolongation strategy.
Legal representatives for Mohamed presented a dual defense: Siand Dhurjon provided personal guarantees of future punctuality, while Roysdale Forde expressed surprise at the severity of the magistrate’s initial response and claimed to possess evidence supporting the tire sabotage allegations.
The case continues on February 18, 2026, with parallel proceedings expected regarding the medical status of Mohamed’s father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, who faces separate US extradition requests.