Federal Court says no to Najib’s bid to present extra evidence in SRC International conviction appeal
Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre) arrives at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya August 16, 2022. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
Tuesday, 16 Aug 2022 2:00 PM MYT
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has failed to convince the Federal Court to allow him to adduce additional evidence in his final appeal against his conviction of misappropriating funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The five-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat unanimously dismissed Najib’s attempt to introduce evidence related to recent discoveries concerning trial judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali’s alleged conflict of interest.
Tengku Maimun ruled that Najib's application lacked merit as the evidence his defence team claimed to be fresh has no relevance to the former prime minister’s knowledge of the RM42 million, which is the main issue in the SRC International case.
“For all the reasons we have stated, we find that the applicant has failed to cross the threshold under Section 93 of the Court of Judicature Act.
“The motion is hereby dismissed. We shall now proceed with the main appeal,” she said.
The other four judges on the bench were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Federal Court judges Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.
Leading the prosecution is ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram, who was assisted by deputy public prosecutors Donald Joseph Franklin, Sulaiman Kho Kheng Fuei, Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul and Manjira Vasudevan.
Lawyers Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Liew Teck Huat and Rueben Mathiavaranam appeared for Najib.
Last December, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s July 2020 verdict and sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million.
The case is now at the Federal Court and it is Najib’s last chance to convince the judges his conviction and punishment should be overturned.
Hearing in the country’s supreme court is scheduled to take place over nine days from today till August 19 and resume after the weekend on August 23 until August 26.
MORE TO COME
Tuesday, 16 Aug 2022 2:00 PM MYT
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has failed to convince the Federal Court to allow him to adduce additional evidence in his final appeal against his conviction of misappropriating funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The five-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat unanimously dismissed Najib’s attempt to introduce evidence related to recent discoveries concerning trial judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali’s alleged conflict of interest.
Tengku Maimun ruled that Najib's application lacked merit as the evidence his defence team claimed to be fresh has no relevance to the former prime minister’s knowledge of the RM42 million, which is the main issue in the SRC International case.
“For all the reasons we have stated, we find that the applicant has failed to cross the threshold under Section 93 of the Court of Judicature Act.
“The motion is hereby dismissed. We shall now proceed with the main appeal,” she said.
The other four judges on the bench were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Federal Court judges Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.
Leading the prosecution is ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram, who was assisted by deputy public prosecutors Donald Joseph Franklin, Sulaiman Kho Kheng Fuei, Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul and Manjira Vasudevan.
Lawyers Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Liew Teck Huat and Rueben Mathiavaranam appeared for Najib.
Last December, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s July 2020 verdict and sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million.
The case is now at the Federal Court and it is Najib’s last chance to convince the judges his conviction and punishment should be overturned.
Hearing in the country’s supreme court is scheduled to take place over nine days from today till August 19 and resume after the weekend on August 23 until August 26.
MORE TO COME
Some people will say the Federal Court Full Bench should stop tokking kok... wakakama
ReplyDeleteI believe Plan B to pressure the Federal Court by Zaid Ibrahim and his lawyers will now go into action.
ReplyDeleteWah...NAJIB'S lawyers beat me to the Plan... they are now asking for 3-4 months delay to the trial, failing which they will announce that they will discharge themselves.
ReplyDeleteFederal Court will then be forced to agree to a delay to allow Najib to appoint new lawyers, as an Unrepresented Accused for such a serious case cannot be allowed.
A Hollywood screen script writer would have trouble cooking up such a Drama.