LAWYER Hisyam Teh Poh Teik has rejected the Federal Court offer to present his submissions for Najib Razak’s final appeal trial when proceedings resume next week.

He said the defence will not be making any submissions in the SRC International case.

“The prosecution has completed its submissions. We were asked to come back on Tuesday.”

“I told the court as far as I’m concerned we are not making any submission, I told the lordships,” he said after court proceedings today.

Earlier, Teh asked the court for an adjournment yesterday citing an ongoing court matter.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said she has stated many times there will be no adjournment.

“We will proceed with this (trial) on Tuesday,” she said.

Teh then informed the court that he is not submitting on Tuesday, but Tengku Maimun says the appeal will still proceed as scheduled.

“You (Teh) have time between the weekend and Monday to consider submitting on the matter.”

Teh told the court that he will not be making any submissions, be it oral or written.

Tengku Maimun then told Teh, “it is your liberty to do so.

“But you are the counsel on record. We will see you on Tuesday,” the chief justice added. 

Yesterday, Teh stunned the Federal Court by applying for leave to recuse himself and his team from the case.

The sudden move had left Najib without counsel in his final appeal, with Teh citing inadequate time to prepare a suitable defence.

“My apology is sincere and from the bottom of my heart. I am unable to act in this case.”

“It was my error in judgement for taking the case.”

“I was hopeful that the court would grant discretion in my favour, due to the scope and depth of the appeal.”

On July 28, 2020, then High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.

The conviction and sentence was later upheld by the Court of Appeal. – August 19, 2022.