KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here acquitted Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu's former political secretary on seven charges of soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.48mil from a contractor as an inducement to help get projects from the Defence Ministry.
Lawyer Haijan Omar, representing the accused Mohd Azhar Che Mat Dali, 53, said, when contacted by Bernama, that Judge Rozina Ayob had made the decision proceedings on Friday (Jan 12).
"I confirm that the court has acquitted and freed my client from all seven charges. That is all I can confirm," Haijan said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat prosecuted.
On Oct 15, 2020, Mohd Azhar pleaded not guilty to a charge of soliciting RM5mil from Syarikat FEHM Entity Sdn Bhd managing director Elias Jemadi Tajudin, as payment to help the company get chosen as a strategic partner and contractor for a project involving the maintenance of intelligence devices.
He was accused of committing the act during a conversation at a hotel in Jalan Ampang, Kampung Baru, here on July 22, 2019.
Mohd Azhar was also charged with four counts of receiving bribes worth RM1.35mil through the directors of Syarikat Ikaira Resources and Syarikat Aqsa Solutions Sdn Bhd for the same purpose.
At the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Oct 23, 2020, Mohd Azhar pleaded not guilty to receiving RM130,000 in kikcbacks at KL International Airport and Kota Damansara in 2019.
All charges were proffered under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a penalty of a maximum of 20 years in jail and fine of five times the graft amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
All seven charges were heard together at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. - Bernama
