HGP Nightly News – Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman has sent a blunt message to both sides in the extradition case involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed: the court will not be pushed into rushing the matter.
Latchman made the position clear on Thursday as tensions surfaced over the amount of time being taken to deal with the defence’s arguments surrounding alleged political motivation behind the extradition request.
Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon had been questioning a witness along a line intended to support the defence’s claim that the proceedings are politically motivated. But after extensive written submissions had already been filed, the defence indicated that it wanted to withdraw one particular question and approach the issue from another direction.
That did not sit well with prosecutor Glen Hanoman.
Hanoman objected to the change, arguing that the defence was effectively reopening an issue that had already consumed considerable court time and that doing so amounted to an abuse of the court’s process.
The disagreement prompted Latchman to make one thing unmistakably clear: she would not allow anyone to dictate how the court conducts the case.
“This court will not be controlled by any mortal within inside of this court or outside of this court,” she told counsel.
And she was not finished.
The Chief Magistrate acknowledged that the extradition case is of grave national importance, but said that importance was precisely why the proceedings could not simply be pushed through for the sake of reaching an early conclusion.
The court, she stressed, is already aware of the time being taken.
She also recognised the familiar principle that delayed justice can amount to denied justice. But, in the same breath, she warned that the opposite extreme carries its own danger.
“Rushed justice is crushed justice,” Latchman declared.
Her concern was that the case involves complicated legal issues that require proper consideration. Moving too quickly, she warned, could create complications and mistakes, potentially undermining the very administration of justice the court is expected to protect.
In other words, getting the case finished quickly is not the same thing as getting it right.
The comments came as prosecutors continue presenting evidence in support of the United States’ request to have the Mohameds extradited.
The substantive committal proceedings began on January 6, 2026, but the case has been interrupted by legal challenges brought by the defence before the higher courts.
So far, two prosecution witnesses have taken the stand.
The proceedings are now scheduled to continue on September 21, 22, 28 and 29, with each date set aside for a full day of hearings.
The case stems from an extradition request by United States authorities, who want Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed sent to the US to face an 11-count indictment in Florida.
The allegations include conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and related offences arising from an alleged gold-export scheme.
