The Appeal Court Appeal has reinstated a multi-million dollar payout for nine men freed of the murder of businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman.

The men were freed in May 2016, later suing the state for malicious prosecution.

In January 2021 Justice Joan Charles entered a default judgment in their favour, with High Court Master Martha Alexander awarding them $2.1 million each in January 2023 after an assessment.

In December 2023 however, the Justice Charles, upon an application by the Attorney General, set aside the 2021 judgement.

An appeal was subsequently filed regarding the decision to set aside the judgement, while the Attorney General cross-appealed against certain aspects of the order.

Yesterday, a ruling was handed down by Justices Nolan Bereaux, Mark Mohammed and Ronnie Boodoosingh

Justice Bereaux read the majority decision which reportedly set aside the December 2023 order relating to the default judgment, restoring the default judgment and the master’s order relating to the award.

The ruling also dismissed the counter notice of appeal which was filed by the State in relation to the previous order for costs.

The nine appellants listed in the ruling are Shervon Peters, Devon Peters, Anthony Gloster, Joel Fraser, Ronald Armstrong, Keida Garcia, Jameel Garcia, Marlon Trimmingham and Antonio Charles.