Shafee wants to recuse judge for his RM9.5m case
Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah today made an oral application to recuse Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah from presiding over his charges related to RM9.5 million received from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak between 2013 and 2014.
The basis of Shafee's application was that Justice Sequerah was also presiding over Najib's 25 charges of money laundering and abuse of power regarding 1MDB...
Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah today made an oral application to recuse Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah from presiding over his charges related to RM9.5 million received from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak between 2013 and 2014.
The basis of Shafee's application was that Justice Sequerah was also presiding over Najib's 25 charges of money laundering and abuse of power regarding 1MDB.
Lawyer Havinderjit Singh conveyed this to the court, adding that there were two other judges available who were not hearing Najib's cases.
Appointed prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said he would leave it to the judge to make a decision.
Justice Sequerah said that he did not share Shafee’s view that he would not give the latter a fair trial.
"But this (recusal) is subject to a formal application," he said.
With this Justice Sequerah fixed trial dates on May 14, 15, 17, 28, 29, 31, and June 10 to 21, except June 17.
Sri Ram indicated that the prosecution would call seven witnesses.
When met later, Shafee said he would file a formal application to recuse Justice Sequerah this week.
Shafee is charged with two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements or declarations all to which he claimed trial.
Shafee is alleged to have engaged in two counts of money laundering activities by receiving proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM9.5 million.
The sum was allegedly transferred to Shafee in two tranches from a bank account belonging to Najib.
The lawyer was alleged to have committed the offence on Sept 13, 2013, and Feb 17, 2014.
If found guilty under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amlapau), Shafee could face a maximum jail term of five years, a fine of up to RM5 million or both.
Shafee also faces two counts of violating the Income Tax Act 1967 by omitting to declare the income received from Najib in statements made to the Inland Revenue Board on two occasions in 2015.
Under Amlapau, if found guilty, Shafee could be jailed up to 15 years and fined not less than five times the value of the sum involved or RM5 million whichever is higher.
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