–Attorney General warns of enforcement and rule of law
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has condemned what he described as a “little circus” staged outside his chambers on Thursday, stating it amounted to an attempt to ridicule the authority of the courts and evade compliance with a lawful costs order.
Addressing viewers during a Facebook Live broadcast, Nandlall said he was alerted to the unusual scene while attending a meeting.
According to him, a live video was being streamed outside the Attorney General’s Chambers by Hana Mohamed, sister of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.
The Attorney General reminded that on February 4, Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh dismissed a legal challenge brought by Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
He awarded costs totaling $1 million—$500,000 each to the Attorney General, and Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond.
The costs, he said, were required to be paid by February 27.
“Obviously, the 27th of February expired and we did not receive a dollar in payment in relation to those costs,” Nandlall said.
He explained that, in keeping with procedure, he wrote to one of the Mohameds’ lawyers, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, requesting payment of the sum owed.
However, he said no response was received.
“I did not receive a response to that letter,” he said, adding that he later received “a very infantile and puerile email” from one of the Mohameds’ attorneys, Siand Dhurjon, which he responded to.
Nandlall said he was already preparing enforcement proceedings when the latest development occurred.
According to the Attorney General, Azruddin Mohamed, along with Member of Parliament Odessa Primus and Hana Mohamed, arrived at his chambers with two wheelbarrows filled with money, claiming they were there to settle the costs order.
“One wheelbarrow contains a large amount of Guyana dollar bills in small denominations and the other barrow contains a large volume of coins,” Nandlall said, describing the scene.
However, he pointed out that Guyana’s laws regulate the use of coins as legal tender. Citing the legislation, he noted that coins can only be used up to certain limits in settling debts—$100 for $1 coins, $250 for $5 coins, and $500 for $10 coins.
“Unfortunately for Mr. Mohamed, he will have to return the barrow of coins that he has brought,” Nandlall said, adding that the attempt to use coins in that manner could not satisfy the legal obligation.
The AG said the incident was an apparent effort to mock the court’s authority. “So, this little circus and this little attempt at ridicule has really backfired against him,” he stated.
The Attorney General stressed that court orders carry binding obligations. “Court orders by law impose… uncompromising obligations upon those to whom they relate and against whom they are issued,” he said.
“The persons who are obliged by those orders must obey them whether they accept the orders… or whether they believe the orders are wrong.”
He emphasised that until an order is set aside by a competent court, it must be complied with. “All the Attorney General has done is attempt to ensure compliance of that court order. That is part of the rule of law of our country,” he added.
Nandlall criticised the conduct of the Opposition Leader, stating that it was inappropriate for someone in such a position to act in a manner that undermines the judiciary.
He said the actions demonstrated “utter disrespect” and “utter disregard for the orders of the judges of this country.”
“This does not bode well,” he said, warning that the behaviour reflected poorly on leadership. He described Azruddin Mohamed as “a child in a big man’s body,” and accused him of lacking the maturity and understanding required for public office.
According to Nandlall, the conduct appeared aimed at embarrassing the government. “He is here in some type of egotistical drive… to make the government look foolish,” he said.
However, he cautioned that such actions strike at the core of Guyana’s legal system. “This is destroying the legal fabric of this country and striking at the heart of the administration of justice,” he noted.
Nandlall stressed that the matter transcends politics, noting that the legal system is essential for resolving disputes and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“Whichever political party we support… there is one constant… and that is the legal system of this country,” he said.
He added that attempts to mock or undermine the judiciary would not go unanswered. “The arms of the law are long. The processes may be slow,” he warned, “but one thing I can promise you, the law will be applied.”
The Attorney General stressed: “But one thing I can promise you: the law will be applied, and those whom the law calls upon to account will be held to account, either in Guyana or in whichever country the law requires them to be.”
Nandlall concluded by reiterating that those who disregard court orders do so “at their own peril,” signalling that enforcement proceedings will move ahead.
“So, those who think that they can continue to mock the law, mock court orders, trample upon the rule of law, disrespect the judiciary, and disrespect our judges and our judges’ orders are free to do so at their own peril.”
