NAJIB Razak has filed an application to recuse Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat from hearing his appeal at the Federal Court.

Lead defence counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the court this morning the application was filed last night.

Teh said the application was made with the greatest of respect.

“It is based on information we received two or three days back,” he said this morning in court.

Teh was responding to Tengku Maimun who had asked him at the start of the proceedings for a closing submission

Hisham repeated that he had nothing to submit as he needed more time to prepare..

Tengku Maimun warned Hisyam that his client faces jail time if the lawyer refuses to submit his closing submission.

The court was subsequently adjourned after Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the court would stand down for bench to peruse the application for her recusal.

Najib is appealing to the apex court to quash his conviction on charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and power abuse in connection with RM42 million of SRC International’s funds.

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million by the High Court in 2020.

Tengku Maimun heads the five-member apex court bench hearing his appeal. which also comprises Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and apex court judges Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim and Zabidin Diah. – August 23, 2022.