Ku Nan Applies to Disqualify Judge, Delays Graft Trial

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The opening of Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s corruption trial was adjourned to Friday after the defence team filed an application to disqualify the judge hearing the case.

Firdaus Latif

The former minister’s lawyer Tan Hock Chuan told the court that they wished to have Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali recuse himself and the case transferred to another High Court.

Following the application, the judge adjourned the hearing to give time for the prosecution to file an affidavit in reply to the defence motion.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Julia Ibrahim said his team only received the motion yesterday evening and needed time to file a responding affidavit.

Justice Nazlan fixed Friday to hear the motion in court.

The motion was filed by the defence following businessman Tan Eng Boon’s admission of guilt on Tuesday to an alternative charge of abetting Tengku Adnan, called Ku Nan, in receiving an RM1 million bribe.

Eng Boon was originally charged with bribing Tengku Adnan with RM1 million paid via a Public Bank cheque issued by Pekan Nenas Industries Sdn Bhd which was deposited into Tengku Adnan’s account, while he held the office of Federal Territories minister.

Last November, Tengku Adnan, 69, claimed trial to the charge that he receiving the sum from Eng Boon as inducement to approve an application from Nucleus Properties Sdn Bhd (now known as Paragon City Development Sdn Bhd) to increase the plot ratio for the development of Lot 228 in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

Tengku Adnan stated in his affidavit for a recusal that he feared he might not receive a fair trial.

“I believe when Tan pleaded guilty, the judge must have read the facts of the case presented before him by the prosecution. As such, I am worried and concerned that the judge may be influenced by the facts of the case.

“I was made to know from the media reports that Tan had agreed to testify against me as the prosecution witness before this court. I am very concerned and fear that the judge will believe his testimony given that Tan had pleaded guilty,” he said.

“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” Tengku Adnan added.

Tengku Adnan said he wants his case to be heard in another court.

Today, Julia told media that the prosecution will call around 30 witnesses in Tengku Adnan’s case and originally planned to have five witnesses to testify on the first day of trial.


Related report: Sept 17, Tycoon Accused of Bring Ku Nan Now Pleads Guilty to Abetment, Fined RM1.5M