Rosmah Mansor’s lead lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader has tested positive with Covid-19, and two of her other defence counsels had close contact with him.
As a result, the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning postponed to Feb 23 her corruption trial linked to a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid energy project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
Deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram informed trial judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that not only Akberdin came down with Covid-19, but that two other defence lawyers - Jagjit Singh and Azrul Zulkifli Stork - came in close contact with Akberdin and were required to also be under quarantine.
The judge then informed that the court has earlier received a letter from Jagjit’s law firm that sought for today’s proceedings to be postponed due to the Covid-19 circumstances that befell the defence counsels.
“We need to state on record that the reason that the trial could not proceed today as we (court) received a letter from Jagjit’s law firm saying that Akberdin was stricken with Covid-19.
“I understand that he was diagnosed o Feb 12. Unfortunate to hear that, and we wish him well.
“I am also made to understand that Jagjit Singh and Azrul Stork had close contact with Akberdin, and they needed to be quarantined,” Zaini said, as Rosmah looked on from the dock
The judge then set Feb 23 for the trial to resume.
Rosmah, who is the wife of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, is facing three charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
In the first charge, she is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million in bribes from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd to help secure the Education Ministry project.
The RM1.25 billion project was intended to supply power to 369 rural schools in Sarawak using a combination of solar and diesel energy.
In the second and third charges, she is accused of receiving RM1.5 million and RM5 million in bribes, respectively, as a reward for securing the project.
On Feb 18 last year, the High Court ordered Rosmah to enter her defence, following its finding that the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against her.
Rosmah also has a pending RM7 million money laundering and tax evasion case that has yet to go for a full hearing. - Mkini
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