Apex court confirms senior citizen’s acquittal in maid murder case

 

MA Ambika was accused of murdering Adelina Lisao, 28, at her home in Medan Kota Permai 2, Bukit Mertajam on Feb 10, 2018. (File pic)

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court today affirmed the acquittal of a senior citizen accused of murdering her Indonesian maid four years ago.

A three-member bench chaired by judge Vernon Ong said trial judge Akhtar Tahir had exercised his discretion to give MA Ambika, 62, an acquittal.

“There is no appealable error by the High Court and the Court of Appeal,” he said in dismissing the prosecution’s appeal.

The others on the bench were Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal and Rhodzariah Bujang.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

Ambika was accused of murdering Adelina Lisao, 28, at her home in Medan Kota Permai 2, Bukit Mertajam, on Feb 10, 2018.

The High Court in George Town acquitted her on April 18, 2019 although the prosecution had requested a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).

The Court of Appeal affirmed Ambika’s acquittal last year.

Ong said the bench was of the opinion that the prosecution must give a reason when it did not want to continue with its case.

“In fact, based on appeal records, there was no reason given by the prosecution (in the High Court),” he said.

He said a discharge not amounting to an acquittal could only be given if a good reason was provided.

Indonesian ambassador Hermono, its consul-general in Penang, Bambang Suharto, and embassy officers were present to observe today’s proceedings. - FMT