The State has filed an application in the High Court seeking to overturn a decision to award damages to the nine men formerly accused of murdering businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman.

In January, the court delivered the default ruling, ordering the State to pay the men a combined $20million. The development happened as the State had failed to mount a defense in the malicious prosecution case filed by the accused.

A statement from the Office of the Attorney General on Monday evening said AG Reginald Armour, on the advice of Rolston Nelson SC, had filed the application seeking to set aside both the default judgment and the award of damages made against the State in favour of these Claimants.

“Attorney General Armour S.C. awaits the fixing of the date for the hearing of this Application and remains consistent in his commitment to ensuring that the public continues to be updated on the progress of this matter,” the statement read.

An investigation into the State’s failure to file a defense was ordered by AG Amour in late January, with retired justice Stanley John appointed to lead the probe.