Experienced judge needed to hear Najib's RM42m SRC case, court hears

 

Najib Abdul Razak’s RM42 million SRC International corruption case is the case of the century, the Court of Appeal heard today.

However, the former premier’s legal team submitted that a High Court judge lacking experience in criminal cases was instead brought in to hear the case.

During hearing of Najib’s related appeal before the Court of Appeal, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah (above) contended that a judge with necessary criminal case experience is required to hear Najib’s criminal trial.

In July 2018, it was reported that Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali would take over hearing of Najib’s case from that of judge Mohd Sofian Abd Razak.

Prior to presiding over the SRC criminal case, Nazlan dealt with civil cases rather than criminal cases.

Later effective March 1 this year, Nazlan was transferred back to the civil court.

During proceedings before the three-person Court of Appeal bench today, Shafee said that the SRC criminal trial should have been heard by a judge experienced in such matters.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali

 Shafee contended this is necessary in order to lessen mistakes when presiding over the SRC trial.

“This (SRC criminal case) was the case of the century,” Shafee said.

“But Sofian was transferred out, and Nazlan was brought in (to hear the SRC case),” contended the lawyer with decades of experience in legal practice.

The Court of Appeal is hearing Najib’s appeal to quash his conviction and sentencing over seven charges linked to RM42 million of funds from SRC.

On July 28 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted Najib on one count of abuse of power, three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT), and three counts of money laundering, in relation to RM42 million of funds from SRC.

Judge Nazlan had then sentenced Najib to 12 years in jail and RM210 million fine.

However, the lower court allowed Najib’s defence team application to stay execution of the decision, pending disposal of his appeal.

[More to follow] - Mkini