Share
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): Datuk Rizal Mansor (pictured, right), a former aide and special officer to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has had his criminal charges withdrawn by the prosecution in the corruption case involving RM5 million in kickbacks over a solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
Rizal was earlier jointly charged with Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the corruption case.
At the case management before High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan today, lead prosecution lawyer Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram had sought to withdraw charges against Rizal.
"The prosecution withdraws charges against Rizal Mansor. We offer no evidence against him and we request that your lordship move to withdraw the charges against him," Sri Ram said.
The courtroom was stunned to silence as to the prosecution's move, Justice Zaini then asked Rizal, who was seated in the dock next to Rosmah, to exit as he was no longer an accused.
Earlier, Rizal was slapped with four charges of seeking and receiving bribes for himself and Rosmah amounting to RM5.5 million involving the project to supply and install rural school solar energy in Sarawak. Rizal was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Rosmah's lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh then requested for the case, which is set to commence on Feb 3, to be postponed until at least March or April as they need to re-organise their defence strategy in light of this development.
"This late application has made us reorganise our strategy," he said.
However, Justice Zaini had held firm with his dates but told the defence that he will give them as much leeway as they need to ensure their client gets a fair trial.
"I don't think adjournment will make much of a difference, your trial dates will remain," Zaini said.
In a statement, Rizal's lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri said his client was relieved by Sri Ram's announcement.
"Our client, Dato Rizal Mansor, has always been cooperative and respected the due process of law. We thank the prosecution for their wisdom in exercising their constitutional discretion," he said.
Speaking to the theedgemarkets.com after the case management, Sri Ram said Rizal may be called in as a prosecution witness depending on the course of the case.
"We don't know if he's a prosecution witness. We will take the decision to call him as the case comes along," Sri Ram said.
