Justice Nigel Niles today upheld a ruling made on July 2024, affirming that Mikhail Rodrigues, known as “Guyanese Critic,” must pay $52 million to Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed in a defamation case.
The court issued the following orders:
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The $52 million judgment against Rodrigues in favor of the Mohameds remains in effect, as his appeal was dismissed.
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The injunction barring Rodrigues and his media outlet, They Break News Inc., from further defaming the Mohameds remains fully in force. Rodrigues’ appeal against this injunction was also dismissed.
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Rodrigues must pay $75,000 in costs to both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed for losing the appeal.
Addressing Rodrigues’ application to set aside the default judgment against him and They Break News Inc., Justice Niles stated that the explanation provided by Rodrigues and his media company was “woefully inadequate” and failed to convince the court that their reasoning was reasonable.
For context, on July 14, 2024, the court granted default judgment in favor of Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, awarding them approximately $52 million and imposing multiple injunctions to prevent further defamation. Rodrigues and They Break News Inc. appealed but lost.
The Mohameds expressed gratitude to attorneys Renea Marcus and Malachi Griffith for their efforts in court. They also extended thanks to Allah and Justice Niles for today’s ruling.
Rodrigues was represented by attorney Sanjeev Datadin, while the Mohameds were represented by Eusi Anderson, Renea Marcus, and Malachi Griffith.
