Court of Appeal overturns human trafficking conviction against Nizam Uddin Ahmed |11 July 2026

The conviction of Nizam Uddin Ahmed on charges of human trafficking has been overturned by the Court of Appeal of Seychelles, bringing an end to a case that has attracted public attention since his conviction in the Supreme Court.

On December 5, 2024, this newspaper reported in its National News section that Nizam Uddin Ahmed had been convicted of human trafficking. However, following an appeal, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on December 15, 2025, allowing the appeal in its entirety.

The Court of Appeal's order was unequivocal. It ruled that:

“The appeal against the Supreme Court judgment is allowed, the convictions on all counts are quashed, the sentences on all counts are set aside, and the appellant is acquitted of the offences charged.”

The ruling completely overturns the earlier decision of the Supreme Court and legally clears Mr Ahmed of all charges that had been brought against him.

The judgment represents a full vindication of Mr Ahmed, whose legal team successfully argued that the convictions could not stand. With the appeal allowed and all convictions quashed, Mr Ahmed is now acquitted of every offence for which he had previously been convicted.

The case also serves as a reminder of the important role played by the appellate courts in ensuring that convictions are subject to independent review and that justice is ultimately served when errors are identified in judicial proceedings.