by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic BERNAMA

THE corruption trial of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak took yet another dramatic turn this morning when his lead counsel pleaded to discharge himself.

The Federal Court has stood down to decide whether to allow the move by Hisyam Teh Poh Teik (picture) in the SRC International Sdn Bhd final appeal.

Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat had asked Hisyam if he was aware of the consequences if he did not proceed with the appeal.

Hisham appealed to the federal court to reconsider its judgment in rejecting the adjournment as he was not prepared to go on or he had no choice but to withdraw himself from the case, leaving his client unrepresented.

“It was an error of judgment on my part to have accepted the brief. However, I had then expected the court to grant an adjournment given the breadth and scope of this appeal. I would again ask for more time,” he said,

Tengku Maimun said the court had already given its broad grounds on the issue in the last hearing on Tuesday and that Hisham should proceed with arguing the final appeal.

“We have already given our broad judgments to this matter and we have full confidence in your ability and you should proceed,” she said.

Tengku Maimun heads a five-member of apex court bench which also comprises Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and judges Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Diah.