Guyana’s Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohammed, is demanding answers from the Caribbean Court of Justice, following revelations over the weekend in the Sunday Express newspaper, which reported that five of the six Justices of the Court have raised concerns over the leadership of the Court and Judicial Independence. Mr. Mohammed’s extradition matter featured prominently in the court’s row.

Two weeks ago, the CCJ ruled that the extradition matter against Mr. Mohammed and his father, who are both sanctioned by the United States, can proceed.

Following the revelations over the weekend, the Opposition Leader is now seeking answers from the country’s Apex Court.

“When five of six sitting judges raised concerns about the leadership and governance of the Caribbean’s highest court, and themselves, and allege attempts to influence judicial opinions in a matter involving Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, silence is not an adequate institutional response. A court that demands accountability, independence and adherence to the rule of law from governments must hold itself to those same standards,” the Opposition Leader office said.

The Sunday Express, which broke the story following an email leak, reported that two Justices of the Court raised concerns over the Mohamed’s case.

Justice Peter Jamadar was quoted as saying that there was an attempt to influence the opinions of colleagues that differed in the case.

On the same hand, Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, was quoted as saying… “In the Mohameds’ case, it was stunning to hear Winston (Justice Andrerson) pointedly inform us that he was going to announce a decision of the court at a time and in a manner in which a clear majority of his colleagues had very strongly communicated to him as inappropriate.”

Now, the Opposition Leader’s Office wants full transparency and an appropriate independent examination of the allegations, including the circumstances surrounding the deliberations and proposed announcement of the decision in the Mohamed extradition matter.

“These revelations cannot be dismissed as political criticism of the CCJ. They originate from within the Court itself, from judges entrusted with protecting the rule of law and the independence of the Caribbean’s final appellate institution. The CCJ is Guyana’s final appellate court. Public confidence in that institution depends fundamentally upon the independence of every judge, the integrity of judicial deliberations and the absolute assurance that no judge, regardless of position or seniority, can improperly influence the judicial opinions of another,” the Office of the Leader of the Opposition has said.

Among other things, Mr. Mohammed wants the Court to explain if there were established conventions or procedures governing judicial deliberations and the delivery of decisions departed from and whether any of these circumstances affect the integrity, independence or perceived fairness of the judicial process.

The Court was unanimous in its decision to dismiss the appeal by the Mohameds, allowing the extradition matter to proceed in the local Magistrates’ Court.

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