NAJIB FILES APPLICATION TO DISQUALIFY GOPAL
This is to support initial bid to disqualify Gopal as lead prosecutor
FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has filed for leave to initiate judicial review to challenge the appointment of Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram as lead prosecutor for his corruption and money laundering charges involving RM2.3 billion allegedly from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, yesterday told the High Court the defence had filed the additional application to support its initial application to disqualify Gopal.
On Aug 31, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas announced the appointment of Gopal, a retired former Federal Court judge, as senior deputy public prosecutor to lead the prosecution against Najib’s 1MDB and related cases.
Shafee said the defence sought several orders in the leave application to quash several decisions relating to Gopal’s appointment.
“Several orders we sought are appropriate to be filed through judicial review,” he said, adding that the leave application would be heard today at the High Court (Appeal and Special Power Division).
The leave for judicial review is a complementary application to its notice of motion to disqualify Gopal at the High Court (Criminal).
Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah fixed Jan 31 for case management and Feb 8 to hear the application (notice of motion).
Former Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was seen in the public gallery during the 15-minute proceedings.
Najib and Zahid left the courtroom together, followed by Rosmah and their entourage.
On Sept 20, Najib, who is Pekan member of parliament, was slapped with 25 corruption charges involving RM2.3 billion allegedly from 1MDB.