The Court of Appeal is being asked to overturn National Border Patrol Director Daniel Seeram’s conviction for assaulting his former wife and grant him bail pending sentencing on November 2.
In a Notice of Appeal filed by attorney Nigel Hughes, Seeram challenged Magistrate Abigail Gibbs’ October 2 decision on 20 grounds, alleging errors in the assessment of evidence and treatment of his self-defence account.
The appeal argues that the magistrate misrepresented Seeram’s testimony about two separate struggles with his former wife as a single push.
According to the notice, he testified that he pushed her away during an initial confrontation in the hallway and pushed her again after she pulled on his chain, which broke before she fell.
Hughes also challenged the complainant’s credibility, citing inconsistencies concerning her injuries and delayed disclosure of a firearm.
The defence questioned the admission of her medical certificate, arguing that the doctor who prepared it was not called to testify.
The notice further contended that insufficient weight was given to evidence from Sergeant Dunn, including that Seeram had reported the incident to police first, had visible injuries and showed the officer a broken chain.
The appeal described the conviction as “unsafe and unsatisfactory in all the circumstances” and alleged a “substantial miscarriage of justice”.
The appeal follows a High Court ruling by Justice Joy Persaud-Singh, who dismissed Seeram’s application for judicial review of the decision to remand him pending sentencing.
Hughes had argued that the remand order was made before the court received a probation report, victim impact statement and submissions on aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Deputy Solicitor General Shoshana Lall agreed that Section 9 of the Bail Act was not applicable, but the judge found no grounds to conclude that the magistrate had acted unlawfully, irrationally or beyond her jurisdiction.
The charge stemmed from an incident on September 11, 2023, at the Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown home Seeram shared with his then-wife.
Reports said an argument after he returned home at about 03:00 hours escalated into a physical confrontation.
His then-wife reported the incident to police, who observed visible marks of violence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently advised Seeram be charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm.
Seeram initially pleaded not guilty and was granted $50,000 bail. Following his conviction, Magistrate Gibbs revoked his bail and remanded him to prison pending his sentencing hearing on November 2.
At the time of the incident, Seeram was Region Four Chairman and an executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
He later joined the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) ahead of the 2025 general and regional elections.
