The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has rejected Mikhail Rodrigues’ application for special permission to appeal the $52 million libel judgment obtained by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed.
Rodrigues, widely known as the ‘Guyanese Critic,’ had sought special leave to challenge the Court of Appeal’s April 24 decision.
In dismissing the application Thursday, the CCJ said it was not satisfied that the appellate judgment contained an egregious error of law or created a risk of gross injustice. Justices Denys Barrow, Peter Jamadar and Chile Eboe-Osuji heard the application.
The decision prevents Rodrigues from taking the $52 million award to the regional court through that special-leave application and leaves the Court of Appeal judgment standing.
Justice Nigel Niles entered default judgment against Rodrigues and They Break News Inc. in July 2024 over broadcasts concerning the Mohameds. The court awarded the father and son a combined $52 million and issued a permanent injunction restraining Rodrigues and the company from republishing the statements at the centre of the case or similar material.
Rodrigues subsequently challenged the judgment and injunction before Justice Niles, the Full Court and the Court of Appeal. Those challenges were unsuccessful.
The CCJ’s decision concerns the attempt to appeal the original libel judgment. It does not dispose of separate contempt proceedings alleging breaches of the injunction.
That contempt case was adjourned in September after the court was told Rodrigues was unwell. It is scheduled to continue on November 23.
