ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Melissa Ann Atwell, a social media personality operating under the Facebook ‘handle’, “Melly Mel”.

The claim, submitted to the High Court on November 22, 2024, alleges that Atwell published a series of defamatory statements targetting the Attorney-General.

The lawsuit accuses Atwell of posting malicious and fabricated content on November 21, 2024 that questions Nandlall’s integrity, professionalism, and fitness to serve in public office. The statements, according to the claim, are intended to damage Nandlall’s reputation and standing among his colleagues, political peers, and the broader society.

The claim outlines multiple posts on Atwell’s Facebook page, alleging that they falsely portray the Attorney-General as deceitful, corrupt, and unfit to hold office. Specific accusations in the lawsuit include claims of criminal conduct, dishonesty, and betrayal within his professional and political spheres.

In one post, Atwell accused Nandlall of attempting to conspire with U.S. authorities to facilitate her extradition to Guyana, while another described him as being involved in criminal conspiracies. Atwell also tagged Nandlall’s official Facebook page in her posts, amplifying the reach of the alleged defamatory statements.

Nandlall is seeking: Damages in excess of $100 million for defamation; an injunction restraining Atwell or her agents from publishing further defamatory statements; and an order compelling Atwell to remove all defamatory posts about Nandlall from her Facebook page.

The Attorney-General contends that the false claims have caused irreparable harm to his reputation, impacting his role as a senior government official, legal professional, and public figure.
Nandlall’s statement of claim emphasises his distinguished career, including his appointment as Senior Counsel, his position as Chairman of the Law Revision Commission of Guyana, and his leadership role on the Council of Legal Education (CLE) of the West Indies.

The case also references broader concerns about the misuse of social media to spread defamatory content, with Nandlall noting that the government has engaged U.S. law firms to address such issues.

Atwell has 42 days, from the date of service, to respond to the claim. Failure to do so could result in a default judgement against her.

This high-profile case underscores the increasing intersection of social media activity and legal accountability in Guyana.