Shafee's firm discharged from Najib's SRC appeal, Zaid's firm to take over

KUALA LUMPUR: Messrs Shafee & Co has been discharged from representing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal at the Federal Court, which has been fixed for hearing next month.

This was informed to the Federal Court through a letter on Tuesday (July 26) from Shafee & Co, headed by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, and addressed to the deputy registrar.

The law firm said it received a letter from the appellant (Najib) at around 5pm on Monday (July 25).

Najib's letter stated that Shafee & Co was discharged immediately from acting as a counsel representing him (Najib) in the SRC appeal and related proceedings.

"In the same letter, the appellant informed that he has appointed Messrs Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners (Zist) as his counsel," it said.

Najib's final appeal in the RM42mil SRC appeal is scheduled for a 10-day hearing at the apex court from Aug 15 to 26.

Shafee & Co said that it persevered to complete the handing over of documents, physical and digital, to Zist and it was expected to be done by Tuesday.

"We are grateful for all the cooperation given by the court in easing our affairs," it said.

Shafee and his team have been on Najib's defence team in the SRC case since the beginning of the case in July, 2018.

On July 28, 2020, Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali (now a Court of Appeal judge) convicted and sentenced Najib on seven charges involving criminal breach of trust (CBT), money laundering and abuse of position, involving SRC funds, totalling RM42mil.

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and a fine of RM210mil.

The conviction and sentence were upheld by the Court of Appeal. Najib is appealing the decision.