High Court Clears Way for Nimrod Tillett Extradition

The High Court has dismissed a constitutional claim filed by Orange Walk resident Nimrod Catzim Tillett, clearing the way for his extradition case to return to the Magistrates’ Court.

Tillett had argued that sending him to Mexico could expose him to cruel and inhumane treatment because of his medical condition and the alleged conditions inside Mexican prisons.

But when the matter came before Justice Derick Sylvester this morning, Tillett’s legal team acknowledged that it had been unable to obtain the evidence needed to support those claims. This included medical reports and information about prison conditions in Mexico.  Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, representing the State, asked the court to clarify whether the claim was being withdrawn or discontinued. She noted that the matter had been pending since 2024 and was adjourned on February 17 and again on May 26 to give the defence more time to submit evidence.  No supporting material was filed, and Tillett’s attorneys were unable to say how they intended to move forward. Justice Sylvester then dismissed the claim.  Tillett is wanted by Mexican authorities in connection with the alleged killing of a woman in Quintana Roo. He was arrested in Belize in October 2023 on a provisional warrant, and Mexico submitted its formal extradition request two months later.  The case reached the Magistrates’ Court in January 2024. Tillett’s attorneys initially challenged the extradition on two grounds. They argued that the alleged offence did not meet the requirement of dual criminality and that extradition could violate his constitutional protection against cruel and inhumane treatment.  The dual-criminality argument was later abandoned, leaving the constitutional challenge concerning Tillett’s health and the alleged conditions in Mexican prisons. That issue was referred to the High Court in August 2024.  With the constitutional claim now dismissed, the extradition proceedings are expected to resume before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers in the Belize City Magistrates’ Court. No new hearing date has been announced.  Tillett has also made a humanitarian request to be allowed to contact his family before any possible transfer to Mexico.   English barrister Tim Prudhoe, from the Turks and Caicos Islands-based law firm Stanbrook Prudhoe, has been representing Tillett on a pro bono basis.