By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer Paul Cheong has filed a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit in the Demerara High Court against Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, following allegations broadcast on social media concerning public road construction contracts.
The Statement of Claim was filed on Cheong’s behalf by Attorney-at-Law Rajendra R. Jaigobin of Rajendra R. Jaigobin & Associates on August 17, 2026.
Damages, Injunction, and Social Media Takedown
Cheong is seeking substantial judicial remedies against the Opposition Leader arising from a video and accompanying commentary published on the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page on August 11, 2026:
- General and Punitive Damages: Seeking damages in excess of G$10 million for alleged libel and character injury.
- Permanent Injunction: Requesting an order restraining Mohamed, his agents, or servants from continuing to publish, circulate, or repeat the defamatory claims.
- Mandatory Takedown Order: Seeking an order directing the immediate removal and deletion of the offending video and posts across all associated social media accounts.
Disputed Claims Over the Versailles-Parika Highway Project
The legal dispute centers on public remarks made by Mohamed regarding the proposed Versailles-to-Parika Four-Lane Highway project, which the Opposition Leader claimed attracted approximately G$121 billion in total contractor bids across 23 kilometers of roadway.
- Allegations of Corporate Ownership: In the broadcast, Mohamed referenced L’Heureuse Construction Services, claiming the business was owned by Cheong and had submitted a government bid exceeding G$6.8 billion.
- Conflict of Interest Accusations: Mohamed questioned whether Cheong could devote his full focus to leading the state-owned sugar corporation while pursuing state road contracts, also attempting to link the entity to previous works on the Schoonord highway corridor.
Total Denial of Ownership and Contract Bids
In his sworn court filings, Cheong categorically denied every substantive claim made regarding his business activities:
- No Corporate Link: Cheong affirmed that he is neither a shareholder, director, nor beneficial owner of L’Heureuse Construction Services or L’Heureuse Construction Services Inc.
- No Public Procurement Bids: He stated that he has never submitted bids for, nor been awarded, government roadway construction contracts.
- Professional Injury: The lawsuit contends that Mohamed’s statements falsely portrayed Cheong as corrupt, managing an illicit conflict of interest, placing personal financial gain ahead of GuySuCo’s workforce, and being unfit for corporate leadership, accounting, and general management.
The filing highlights that the defamatory publication has harmed Cheong’s standing among colleagues and business professionals, noting that associates have avoided him and questioned his professional integrity since the video aired. In addition to serving as CEO of GuySuCo, Cheong currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the state-owned Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL).
Under the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, the Opposition Leader has 42 days from the date of formal service to enter an appearance and file his defense.
