The Federal Court adjourned Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s final appeal after she sustained a fall, while also dismissing her bid to recuse two judges from the panel.
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has adjourned Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s final appeal to recuse a judge in her corruption case to March 3. The adjournment was granted after her counsel informed the court she had sustained a fall at home.
Rosmah’s lawyer, Datuk Jagjit Singh, told a three-member panel his client was on medical leave from Feb 24 to 28. He said she injured her hand and knees while preventing a complete fall.
Justice Datuk Azimah Omar remarked that if Rosmah could not attend court, she should be in hospital, not at home. Deputy public prosecutor Mangaiarkarasi Krishnan said the prosecution did not object to the adjournment.
Earlier, Jagjit applied to recuse Justices Datuk Nordin Hassan and Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali from the panel. He cited their previous involvement in other matters concerning Rosmah.
Justice Nordin questioned the basis for the request, asking if there was a real danger of bias. He stated he was merely following his client’s instructions.
Justice Nordin ultimately dismissed the application, finding no real danger of bias. The panel, which also included Justice Azimah, will now hear the main appeal on the new date.
Rosmah is appealing a Court of Appeal decision that upheld the High Court’s refusal to recuse Judge Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. Judge Mohamed Zaini convicted her in the RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid project corruption case.
She filed the recusal application just before Judge Mohamed Zaini delivered his verdict in September 2022. She cited allegations of a leaked draft judgment prepared by a third party.
On that same day, Rosmah was found guilty of corruption. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined RM970 million.
The High Court later granted a stay of execution on the sentence and fine pending her appeal. Rosmah faces charges of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving bribes totaling RM6.5 million.