Umno lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun has switched bailors in his RM15 million money laundering case after his previous bailor quit his law firm.
As Hafarizam's lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican told Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad today, the change was necessary as Aisha Mubarak had left the firm Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak recently.
"Aisha has discharged herself as bailor," Hasnal told the court, adding that the proposed new bailor, Noor Arlisma Zainul Ariff, is a partner in Hafarizam's firm.
Azman then allowed the change, with the terms and amount of the RM500,000 bail be maintained with one surety, and fixed April 24 for the pre-trial conference of the case.
On Feb 21, Hafarizam claimed trial to two charges of money laundering involving RM15 million. He is alleged to have received the funds from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak between April 2014 and February 2015.
As Hafarizam's lawyer later told reporters, the defence will not be seeking to transfer the case to the High Court for the time being.
He said this is because his client was supposed to be tried with Najib's former media adviser Paul Stadlen (below), who has an arrest warrant issued against him.
Attorney-General's Chambers deputy head of prosecution Ishak Mohd Yusoff also said that the prosecution has no intention to push for a transfer.
Hafarizam is accused of accepting RM11.5 million from Najib between April and November 2014, allegedly the proceeds of unlawful activity, through two cheques which went into the client account of Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak.
He is also said to have received RM3.5 million in the same account on Feb 12, 2015.
The Umno lawyer faces a maximum prison term not exceeding 15 years and a fine if convicted under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Najib has called the money laundering allegations politically motivated, explaining last month that the RM15 million was kept in the trust account of Hafarizam's firm to be paid to Stadlen for "several years of work."
The former premier also said he would divulge the source of the funds "when the time comes." - Mkini
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