As the extradition hearing against US-indicted billionaire businessmen, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed resumed today in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman reprimanded Special Prosecutor Herbert McKenzie after he made comments about the period of time that the case has been ongoing before the Court.

The Prosecutor made the comments while objecting to a second Application by the Defense team for the contracts signed between the Government of Guyana and two US Lobbying Firms to be submitted as evidence in the Court.

His comments did not sit well with the Principal Magistrate, who made it clear that justice should not be scarified for expediency.

“The length of the case is the length of the case. It should never be scarified at the altar of speed,” Magistrate Latchman said.

Interjecting, McKenzie said he agreed with the Court entirely, but Magistrate Latchman made it clear that there was no need for the Court to be reminded about the duration of the case.

“You need to stop fishing for that line, and you need to stop letting others know how long this matter is going on for. I am right here, I am in this court. I know the length of time; I do not need to be reminded about the length of time. It is unnecessary for you to remind the Court about the time,” Magistrate Latchman said.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has been repeatedly complaining about the pace at which the committal proceeding was progressing.

Earlier this week, he told reporters that while the High Court has concluded a number of cases related to the US Extradition request for the Mohameds, and the Court of Appeal will soon deliver a ruling in another related matter, the proceedings in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court have been ongoing on for months.

 The application for the contracts signed between the Government of Guyana and the US lobby firms was seen by the Prosecutor as another delaying tactic by the Defense Attorneys.

An earlier request by the Defense had been denied by the court.

Prosecuting Attorney, Glenn Hanoman, told reporters that the required disclosures have been made.

“We have disclosed every single thing that we have to the defense. The defense has telegraphed their intentions months ago, four months ago. So, if they wanted to receive certain documents, it was opened to them months ago to try and get the documents in the ordinary course of things – they could have subpoena persons, they can apply under the Access to Information Act for what that is worth, and they haven’t exercised any of those options. So, to come when we are midway, when a witness is in the box, to try and get these documents, to me, just prove the point that this is all methods by which they seek to delay,” Hanoman told reporters.

In reapplying for the contracts to be disclosed, Defense Attorney Siand Dhurjon sought to create a link between the US Request for the Mohameds to be extradited, and the political work done by the lobbying firms, that took aim at the Mohameds on behalf of the Government of Guyana.  

Maintaining that the Extradition Request is politically motivated, Dhurjon submitted to the Court that the documents would prove that the Government paid hundreds of thousands of US dollars to the lobbying firms to paint the Mohameds in a negative light to the US Government.

In support of the application, Dhurjon pointed to tweets and statements that were drafted by the firms, targeting the Mohameds that were subsequently used by at least one US Congressman.

The application to have the contracts disclosed was denied by the Magistrate, paving the way for Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sharon Roopchand to be further cross-examined by Dhurjon.

The Attorney completed his cross-examination of the witness this morning, but she faced more questioning from Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde, who is the attorney for Azruddin Mohamed.

Special Prosecutor Hanoman told reporters that he is pleased the case is now is progressing.

“I think the matter has to take its course. I am happy to report that today the matter seems to be moving a pace. Mr. Dhurjon has finally completed his cross-examination, so, baby steps, we are moving,” he said.

Hanoman said it is difficult to predict how much longer the case will take. The Prosecution intends to bring at least two more witnesses, and is hopeful that by next week, all cross-examinations would be completed.

The case will continue tomorrow.

Related posts:

Mohameds’ Attorney want Prosecuting Attorney barred from extradition case over “biggest criminal” outburst in Courtroom Mohameds extradition case adjourned to February 5; Magistrate warns Prosecution against further disclosures Mohameds extradition hearing gets underway as Magistrate shuts down Defence team’s request for pause Prosecution and Defence tussle over disclosures in Mohameds extradition hearing; Case resumes on Friday