— says unchecked authority leads to chaos, undermines justice

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday issued a strong warning against the abuse of power and disregard for legal systems, declaring that no individual should believe they have a right to manipulate or undermine the rule of law.

Speaking at the launch of the Revised Laws of Guyana, the President emphasised that respect for the legal system is fundamental to maintaining order and justice in society.

“We have to deal with people who believe they have this God-given right to abuse access and abuse systems,” President Ali said. “I don’t believe that can be tried anywhere else.”

His comments follow last week’s widely publicised incident in which the United States (US) sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, who arrived at the Attorney General’s Chambers with two wheelbarrows, one filled with small-denomination $20 and $100 bills and another packed with coins in an attempt to settle court-ordered costs.

The move was criticised by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, who described it as a “mockery” of the justice system and warned that it struck at the core of the country’s legal framework.

According to reports, Mohamed attempted to pay millions owed using small-denomination bills and coins, but a significant portion of the coins could not be accepted under the law, effectively rendering the attempt unsuccessful.

“I don’t think any individual can wheelbarrow coins into the Attorney General’s office in the United States or anywhere else….. and I’ve called a few places”, Dr Ali said.

President Ali, without naming Mohamed directly, used the moment to reinforce a broader principle,  that the rule of law must be upheld consistently and without exception.

“To be a law-based society is to embrace a system in which power is never absolute and authority is never arbitrary,” he said.

He stressed that laws are designed not only to guide behaviour but to restrain excesses and protect citizens, warning that any erosion of these principles could have far-reaching consequences.

“Without law, there is no order. Without order, there is only chaos,” the Head of State said.

The President also stressed that justice must be applied equally, cautioning that the selective application of the law undermines public trust and weakens institutions.

“A law that is applied differently depending on who you are undermines justice itself,” he noted.

The Attorney General had similarly warned that attempts to ridicule or defy court orders would not prevent enforcement, signalling that legal action would proceed to recover outstanding sums owed.

President Ali said Guyana must continue to build a system where laws are respected, enforced and understood, ensuring that rights are protected not by influence, but by principle.

“In a society governed by the rule of law, no individual, no matter how powerful, is above the law,” he said.