Federal Court frustrates Sodomy II ex-cop's dream of being a lawyer

The investigating officer in former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II case has been denied leave for his final appeal to become a practising lawyer.

The Federal Court unanimously dismissed Jude Blacious Pereira’s application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision in October last year.

“That means the Court of Appeal order stands. The Court of Appeal had dismissed the petition (to be admitted as a lawyer) because of non-compliance on the condition for training,” Bar Council's lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said.

However, Malik said, he was unsure whether Pereira would be able to submit a fresh petition to become a lawyer.

Today’s hearing was presided by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Abu Samah Nordin and Balia Yusof Wahi. Pereira was represented by Domnic Selvam.

There was no order on costs as the respondent to the appeal - the Bar Council - did not seek it.

The retired police officer had sought to become an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, but this was objected to by the Bar Council.

The council cited Pereira’s actions as the Brickfields CID chief in the arrest of five lawyers who were representing those who were arrested for attending a candlelight vigil for a human rights activist, and a subsequent Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry that found Pereira not to be a credible witness.

The High Court in Ipoh ruled in December 2014 that Pereira may still be called to the Bar, on the condition that he attended eight hours of human rights courses and other relevant programmes organised by the council’s human rights committee over the next three months.

However, the Bar Council objected again after the three-month period, contending that Pereira had not satisfied the conditions.

This time, the High Court under another judge ruled that there was substantial compliance to the initial court order. It allowed the petition, but told Pereira to undergo more courses.

The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court decision on Oct 21 and dismissed Pereira’s petition, culminating in today’s appeal before the apex court.- Mkini