Arimu Investments Inc, the company that owns Aiden by Best Western hotel in Georgetown, has filed separate defamation claims against United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his sister, Hana Khamelia Mohamed, over statements and social media publications concerning the hotel.
The two claims were filed in the High Court on Monday by Attorneys-at-Law Sase Gunraj and Jayaram A. Sanasie of Gunraj & Co.
In the claim against Azruddin Mohamed, Arimu Investments is seeking damages in excess of $100 million for defamation, as well as aggravated damages exceeding $50 million and exemplary damages.
The company is also seeking orders for the removal of the publications and any republications or derivative content, a permanent injunction restraining further publication of the alleged defamatory statements, an apology and retraction, publication of the court’s order, costs and interest.
According to the statement of claim, Mohamed made statements concerning Aiden by Best Western on October 16, 2026, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The statements were subsequently recorded and circulated on social media pages, including Prime News Guyana and the Travis Chase page.
Arimu Investments claims that the statements suggested that the Alphonso family, who are identified in the claim as shareholders of the company, were only the “paper” owners of the hotel and that the beneficial owners included members of the First Family.
The company further claims that Mohamed alleged that a police vehicle had been stationed at the hotel for an extended period and that police officers were being used to guard the private establishment.
Arimu Investments maintains that those allegations were false and defamatory and says the publications damaged its commercial reputation and goodwill.
In the separate claim against Hana Khamelia Mohamed, the company is seeking damages in excess of $50 million for defamation arising from a Facebook publication made on October 16, 2026, on the page operated under the name “Hana Khamelia.”
The company is also seeking aggravated damages exceeding $50 million, exemplary damages and similar orders for the removal of the publication, a permanent injunction, an apology and retraction, publication of the court’s order, costs and interest.
According to that claim, Hana’s Facebook post referred to the alleged removal of a police vehicle from the vicinity of Aiden Hotel following comments made by Mohamed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The post also questioned the ownership of the hotel, referred to the Alphonsos as the owners “on paper” and alleged that the beneficial ownership involved a wealthy farmer. It further alleged that State resources were being improperly used through the presence of a police vehicle at the hotel.
Arimu Investments says those statements could be understood as suggesting that the hotel’s ownership had been concealed, that the company was involved in improper or unlawful activity and that it received preferential treatment through the use of police resources.
The company denies those allegations and maintains that the publications were false and caused harm to its reputation and goodwill.
Arimu Investments identifies itself in the claims as a private company limited by shares and the owner of Aiden by Best Western, located at Lots 88-89 Oronoque Street, Bourda, Georgetown.
The company says its commercial reputation and goodwill are valuable assets on which its business relationships, customer confidence and commercial opportunities depend.
Both claims ask the court to restrain the defendants from further publishing or republishing the alleged defamatory statements.
The claim against Mohamed also states that the publications have been disseminated to a substantial audience and remain capable of further circulation through social media and other electronic platforms.
The documents filed in court states that the defendants have 28 days after being served with the statements of claim to file a defence.
The United States is seeking the extradition of the Mohameds over allegations including wire and mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs violations linked to an alleged US$50 million gold-export and tax-evasion scheme.
The indictment also alleged that Azruddin Mohamed participated in a separate scheme involving the importation of a Lamborghini from Miami to Guyana, in which the vehicle’s declared value was allegedly understated to evade more than US$1 million in taxes.
Both men have been granted $150,000 bail each pending the outcome of the extradition proceedings, subject to conditions including surrendering their passports and reporting to the Ruimveldt Police Station as directed by the court.
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