The High Court in this city will be under intense scrutiny today (Sept. 1) as it is expected to render a decision in the case involving Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is accused of three counts of corruption in connection with a RM1.25 billion hybrid solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
At 9am, Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is scheduled to announce the verdict about whether or not Datuk Seri Najib Razak's wife would be found not guilty of all three charges.
Rosmah, however, just two days ago submitted a last-minute appeal to remove Judge Mohamed Zaini from the case's hearing and decision-making process.
According to information, the High Court will take up the application first today.
Below is a timeline of today's events.
10:32 a.m.: The court is sitting.
10:20 a.m.: Norashman Najib, Rosmah’s son enters the courtroom wearing white long sleeve shirt and sits nexrs to Rosmah
9:42 a.m.: The defence has submitted a certificate of urgency to the notice of motion with 15 reasons why the application needs to be considered quickly, according to High Court judge Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. In his court, he claims, a certificate of urgency typically indicates that the case would be heard as quickly as possible, if not the same day, then the following day.
According to Justice Zaini, the defence must submit its response to the application this morning. Jagjit claims he needs some time to collect his ideas and get ready to submit.
“I'm impressed by your research. I'll wait for you and find out when you're prepared “Before entering his chambers, the judge makes this statement.
The judge adjourns the case so that the defence may prepare
9:34 a.m.: Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram opposes the request for a halt of proceedings. He claims that the prosecution is prepared to defend the request for a recusal. He claims that the “leaked decision,” which served as the basis for the move to recuse the judge, is not even a documented ruling.
He claims that the application is completely based on hearsay and that there is no reliable or convincing evidence to support it.
9:30 a.m.: During his speech to the court, Datuk Jagjit Singh discusses the defense's last-minute requests for the trial to be thrown out and for Justice Zaini to recuse herself from the case. He claims that the defence has not yet seen the affidavit-in-reply that the prosecution has submitted.
I ask the court's permission for a brief adjournment so that we can discuss this (recusal) motion, he says.
9:23am: Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan appears in court. Proceedings now begins.
9:13am: Rosmah's lawyers, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader (left), Azrul Zulkifli Stork (right) seen at KL High Court.
8:56 a.m.: The courtroom now has Rosmah in attendance. She is covered in a soft yellow face mask, shawl, and baju kurung. She is accompanied by members of her defence team, including attorneys Datuk Jagjit Singh and Akberdin Abdul Kader. The 70-year-old Rosmah is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million and taking RM6.5 million in bribery from Saidi Abang Samsudin, the former managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.
8:38am: Lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram enters the High Court.
8:00am: A crowd of media personnel and onlookers gather outside the High Court.
