In what many have called a disgraceful spectacle, U.S.-indicted businessman Azruddin Mohamed—leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party—arrived at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in his Lamborghini, flanked by bodyguards who acted as if they were very important, to take his oath as a Member of Parliament, despite facing extradition proceedings for alleged involvement in numerous transnational crimes exceeding US$50 million.
Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed, have limited time in Guyana before they are extradited to face law enforcement in Florida, United States. Once they arrive in Miami, they will be taken directly to jail, where they will wait for their trial, which could last one to two years. They will be denied bail and won’t have access to a Lamborghini or bodyguards; instead, prison officers will escort them to their cells.
The Win Party will fade from Guyana’s political scene because there will be no money to pay their voters, who only care about money, not democracy. Azruddin Mohamed’s supporters are like mercenaries: without cash, they won’t vote or support Mohamed. The end is near for the Mohameds in Guyana. This will mark their downfall.
The move has shocked the nation and raised serious questions about the moral integrity and credibility of Guyana’s political system. While WIN’s leadership called the event a “historic day” for the party, critics have been blunt, calling it a national embarrassment and a mockery of democratic values. Even some within his own party privately described Mohamed’s rise as “shameful” and “tone-deaf,” considering his criminal indictments and sanctions abroad.
Azruddin Mohamed allegedly used money he stole from the GRA to fund his election campaigns. Azruddin was handing out cash like rice to buy voters. Unfortunately, many Afro-Guyanese and Amerindian voters became victims of his money. It’s a shame that WIN did not rig the election as the PNC did for years, including in the 2020 general election, but instead introduced a new election strategy in Guyana, which WIN employed, that is to buy votes.
Just days ago, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman approved bail of $150,000 each for Azruddin and his father, Nazar Mohamed, after an extradition hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Both men were ordered to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station, reflecting the court’s recognition of their status as “flight risks.” The U.S. government’s extradition request remains pending, with prosecutors highlighting the seriousness of the allegations and warning that the pair could potentially evade justice.
Yet, despite public outrage and ongoing legal cases, Azruddin Mohamed arrived at the opening of Guyana’s 13th Parliament in a flashy manner—revving his Lamborghini Roadster SVJ, the luxury car tied to one of his charges. The businessman is accused of deliberately claiming he bought the Lamborghini for US$75,300, when it’s worth around US$695,000, in a false declaration to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The scene was surreal: a man under international indictment showing off the very symbol of his alleged fraud outside a national institution meant to uphold integrity and justice.
The audacity of Azruddin Mohamed is difficult to witness, especially as he ridicules many of Guyana’s law-abiding citizens with his Lamborghini and so-called bodyguards.
Over 88% of the Guyanese population wants Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed on a plane to face their criminal activities in Miami, Florida, USA.
Once inside Parliament, Mohamed took his oath of office, hand on the Quran, in a gesture that many found painfully ironic. While religion teaches humility and truth, his presence in Parliament stood as a stark contradiction—a sermon in hypocrisy played out on the national stage.
It bears emphasizing that Mohamed’s new parliamentary status does not shield him from prosecution or extradition. The Constitution of Guyana provides no immunity for Members of Parliament facing criminal charges, meaning their legal troubles are far from over.
Since the September 2025 elections, Mohamed has been outspoken in urging the government to convene Parliament quickly, a move now seen as a strategic effort to boost legitimacy amid increasing legal troubles. But as one political observer noted, “You can’t wash away scandal with ceremony. Parliament should be a place of honor, not refuge.”
Guyana’s democracy has faced many challenges, but seeing an indicted official take his oath of office might be one of its most troubling moments. It was less of an inauguration and more of a reminder that ambition without accountability can damage public trust.
However, the PPP government is a law-abiding administration that will follow all legal procedures before arranging for Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed to board a plane to Miami, Florida, USA