Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed has shared WhatsApp messages between himself and a number purportedly belonging to President Dr. Irfaan Ali regarding the importation of a luxury vehicle.
The businessman’s claims come days after he was challenged by the president and Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo to present whatever information he has that implicates the Head of State.
Mohamed was charged several days ago for false declaration and tax evasion but claims he was assisted by the government. Now that he has signaled his intention to run for office, the U.S. sanctioned business says the government is out to get him.
“I was challenged by Vice President Bharrat and President Irfan to show proof of the invoice I presented to him. In this game of chess, timing is everything and here is the proof. As we approach the finish line, more revelations will follow,” the businessman said, debunking claims that the president did not know about the vehicle.
Mohamed, in a video, said that on September 30, 2020, messages were exchanged between himself and President Ali about the purchase of the Lamborghini.
He said that while the President claims to have no knowledge about the vehicle, he was presented with the invoice.
“While they said there wasn’t any proof, here it is – the SWIFT payment was sent through Republic Bank. When that car arrived, I forwarded that invoice to Irfaan on December 8, 2020.
As a fellow Muslim brother, Irfaan Ali continues to disappoint us – his deception dishonours our faith and our nation. And for what? Fear? Fear that my announcement was well received by Guyanese both at home and abroad? The PPP’s grip on power is slipping. They are showing their desperation,” the businessman said.
He added, “I have shared the truth and facts of the matter. I ask of you to let good sense prevail. The evidence has been presented. Do what you may with that!”
“Concrete evidence”
Mohamed shared a message of him asking President Ali if he pays $50M if the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will “fight” him down.
There was a missed call from the number purported to be that of the Head of State.
The businessman then related that he called back the number and told President Ali (allegedly) that “I want to pay $50 Million duty and if that would be a problem, because I saw the Lamborghini was selling for around $75,000 (USD) because it had some electrical issues and it was COVID time, so I got a good deal on the car.
Mohamed said that the caller allegedly, the president,responded: “Wow, that’s a lot of money. Why so much? Why don’t you pay $25 Million in duty?”.
But Mohamed said he replied, “No, based on what the car is selling for, when you calculate the taxes, it’s $50M.”
He said that the car arrived on December 7 that year and it was cleared and the duty was paid.
Trump Card
Mohamed said that while the government claims to have no knowledge of the vehicle, it was at President Ali’s intervention that got the car registered and he was in receipt of the payment through Republic Bank via Swift Transfer.
“They mentioned a couple of days ago that they had no knowledge or no dealings. This is the Swift Transfer payment that was paid through Republic Bank on October 7, 2020,” Mohamed said showing the document in the WhatsApp chat.
“So, why is Irfaan Ali lying? Be a man and speak the truth,” he said.
The businessman added that on January 14, 2021, as he was waiting for a “special number” to become the vehicle’s registration number, he got a call and was told that the Head of GRA had raised issues.
Mohamed showed the messages he reportedly sent the President about the issues being faced and the reply was “will be dealt with”
The next day, Mohamed said he reminded the “President” of the issue and was told “matter sorted”. This exchange was also shown in Mohamed’s video.
The businessman is now asking, “I was charged for tax evasion and false declaration. Do you think Irfaan Ali should be charged too?”
