Dr Jagdeo: No amount of money, power will put Mohameds above the law

No amount of money, power, or public post can place anyone above the law, Vice President and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday, as he accused members of the Mohamed family of attempting to use politics to avoid criminal accountability.
Resuming his weekly press conference on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo delivered a strong rebuke of what he called a “deliberate campaign of deception” by the wealthy business family, saying they were now “playing victim” after years of alleged financial misconduct.
“The law applies to everyone — rich or poor, businessman or politician. If you evade taxes, launder money, or commit crimes, you will face the law. The Mohameds are no exception. Their wealth and social standing will not buy them immunity in this country,” Dr. Jagdeo declared.
The Mohamed family — including Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed — has built a business empire spanning gold trading, real estate, and construction. But the family has come under intense scrutiny following criminal indictments and an extradition request from the United States.
Last week, Azruddin Mohamed, who was elected to Parliament, arrived at the National Assembly in a controversial Lamborghini that is allegedly fraudulently undervalued and the subject of a court case.
Dr. Jagdeo said the incident symbolised what he described as “an emerging culture of arrogance and entitlement” among a small elite.
Addressing allegations that the government is targeting the family for political reasons, Dr. Jagdeo said due process is being followed and that Parliament cannot be used as a shield against prosecution.
“They are not being persecuted; they are being prosecuted,” he said, adding that, “Parliamentary office offers no immunity from criminal proceedings — not here, not abroad. Only the President has constitutional protection. So this talk of the PPP delaying Parliament to enable extradition is complete nonsense.”
Dr. Jagdeo alleged that the family’s entry into politics was a calculated effort to delay extradition and reshape public opinion.
“Their lawyers probably told them that political office might complicate the extradition process. That’s why they rushed into politics, not to represent people, but to protect themselves,” he said.