Mauritian Judge Cites Integrity as He Quits Internet Registry Inquiry

A high-profile investigation into the troubled internet registry service AFRINIC has hit a snag after the Mauritian judge appointed to lead the probe, Nicholas Ohsan Bellepeau, announced his withdrawal. The judge’s decision comes amidst a legal challenge from Cloud Innovation Ltd, a company with a history of litigation against AFRINIC, which had alleged a conflict of interest.

Judge Bellepeau, who was appointed as an Inspector in July 2025 to investigate AFRINIC Ltd, currently under receivership, communicated his decision to step down on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

The announcement was made before Judge Azam Neerooa by the judge’s legal team, which included Senior Counsels Me Robin Ramburn, Me Yanilla Moonshiram, and Me Ali Hajee Abdoula, alongside attorney Preetam Chuttoo.

The move follows an injunction application filed by Cloud Innovation Ltd against the judge and the Registrar of Companies.

Cloud Innovation argued that a conflict of interest existed because Judge Bellepeau had previously presided over three cases involving both Cloud Innovation and AFRINIC.

In a statement filed with the court, the judge’s lawyers stated that he had informed the authorities of his past involvement upon his appointment and that his independence had never been compromised.

However, the injunction, which effectively suspended his mandate and the progress of the inquiry, rendered his mission unworkable.

To protect his integrity and that of the judiciary, the judge officially renounced his role in a letter dated August 18, 2025.

The case is scheduled to be heard again on August 26, 2025.

Source: Defi Media