Guyana: Geotechnical Engineer Awarded GY$17 Million in Defamation Case Against Jagdeo

A High Court judge in Guyana has ordered Bharrat Jagdeo, the current 2nd Vice President and former Opposition Leader, to pay GY$15 million in damages for defamation to geotechnical engineer Charles Ceres. Additionally, Jagdeo is required to cover costs amounting to GY$2,150,000. The ruling was made by Justice Fidela Lincoln-Corbin on June 12, 2026.

The defamation case stemmed from statements made by Jagdeo during a press conference on June 27, 2019, regarding land acquisition by Ceres and his former spouse. The judge noted that Ceres provided unchallenged evidence of the defamatory statements made by Jagdeo, leading to the court’s decision to dismiss Jagdeo’s defenses of justification and fair comment.

Justice Corbin-Lincoln also awarded discretionary costs of GY$1 million to Tusika Martin, the Editor-in-Chief of Guyana Times, based on the circumstances of the case. In her assessment, the judge reviewed a recording of the press conference and determined that while the headline of the publication did not clearly indicate it was a report of the press conference, the content provided a fair and accurate summary of Jagdeo’s statements.

Jagdeo did not present evidence to support his defenses, and Ceres, who has over 40 years of experience as a groundwater hydrologist, was cross-examined by Jagdeo’s legal team. Ceres was represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, while Jagdeo’s defense was handled by C.V. Satram and Ron Motilall.

Following the ruling, Wade announced on social media that Ceres plans to appeal the decision regarding Guyana Times and seek a higher award of damages against Jagdeo. He urged Jagdeo to settle the damages promptly, cautioning against the likelihood of success on appeal.

Source: demerarawaves.com

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