Rosmah Mansor has filed an application in the Federal Court to stay her ongoing corruption trial linked to the RM1.25 billion Sarawak schools’ solar hybrid energy project.
The wife of former prime minister Najib Razak wants the proceedings in the High Court before Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan halted until the Federal Court disposes her appeal to declare the trial a nullity.
She is also appealing to disqualify senior deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram from leading the prosecution, saying his appointment in 2018 did not conform with Section 376 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
Counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader said case management has been fixed before a deputy registrar on Jan 7.
“We want an early date from the Federal Court to stay the trial and hear the appeal,” Akberdin told FMT.
On Dec 6, the Court of Appeal dismissed Rosmah’s appeal to remove Sri Ram as the senior DPP and declare the trial a nullity.
A three-member bench chaired by Hanipah Farikullah ruled that it had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal as the CPC did not allow a criminal court to give any declaratory relief, a civil remedy sought under the Specific Relief Act.
Rosmah is charged with soliciting RM187.5 million from contractor Saidi Abang Samsudin in connection with the Sarawak schools’ solar power project as well as receiving RM6.5 million in cash from him.
It is alleged that the money was meant to help Saidi’s company, Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, secure the RM1.25 billion project.
Meanwhile, Najib will take the stand on Jan 10 as the last defence witness.
Najib’s former special officer Siti Azizah Sheikh Abod, the second witness, will return to give evidence in February before the defence is scheduled to close its case.
Last week, Siti Azizah only read 13 pages of her 60-page witness statement before proceedings ended.
Siti Azizah, 72, has left to perform her umrah and will return on Jan 20. – FMT