Drug case: Whether Ismahalil walks free or has to enter defence will be known on Feb 27

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision on whether radio presenter Ismahalil Hamzah will be called to enter his defence or acquitted on a charge of trafficking in cannabis two years ago, will be known on Feb 27 at the High Court here.

If the court's decision is in favour of the prosecution who held that there was a prima facie case against Ismahalil, he would be called to enter his defence, while if otherwise he would be acquitted and discharged.

Ismahalil's counsel Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli, when contacted on Wednesday (Jan 25), confirmed the date of the decision and stated that Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin was scheduled to deliver it at the end of the prosecution's case at 9am.

"The trial took place on Oct 19, 20 and 31, 2022 and continued on Jan 3 and 9. A total of five prosecution witnesses testified in court," said the lawyer.

According to him, the court also fixed Feb 9 for the prosecution and defence to file written submissions.

Ismahalil, 49, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of trafficking cannabis weighing an estimated 374.6g at a house in Jalan Semarak, Wangsa Maju here, at 5.35pm on Aug 27, 2021.

He was charged under Section 39B(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same act which provides for the death penalty, if convicted. - Bernama