The government needs more time to verify whether the 44 items of jewellery worth US$14.79 million (RM59.831 million) sought by a Lebanese jewellery firm are among the approximately 12,000 items seized by the police from residences linked to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
This was disclosed to High Court Judicial Commissioner Wong Chee Lin during case management in Kuala Lumpur today.
Beirut-based firm Global Royalty Trading SAL filed the suit on June 26 seeking the return of the 44 pieces of jewellery it delivered to Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor earlier this year, comprising a diamond necklace, earrings, rings, bracelets and a tiara, each costing between US$124,000 and US$925,000.
Senior federal counsel Alice Loke cited Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, saying that the police have 12 months to hold the items and obtain an order of forfeiture if there is no prosecution or conviction and if there is no claim made.
Loke, who is representing the police and government, said that Global Royalty can thus file a claim for the items during that period.
However, she noted, "The police need more time to ascertain whether the 44 items are among the approximately 12,000 items seized."
A police officer subsequently affirmed an affidavit for this purpose.
Lawyer David Gurupatham, who is representing Global Royalty, said the court then fixed Feb 11 for further case management.
According to Rosmah's lawyer Rajivan Nambiar, the trial dates of March 4 and 5 next year have been maintained.
[More to follow] - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.