New judge for Najib's trial?

KUALA LUMPUR: Speculation is rife that the court case of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) is to be heard by a new judge with High Court judge Datuk Mohd Sophian Abdul Razak reported to be transferred to a different division.
After the case was heard earlier this month before Mohd Sofian, reports emerged that he was the younger brother of Pahang state executive councillor and Benta Umno assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak.
The Malaysian Bar has called for Mohd Sophian who is presiding over Najib's CBT case to recuse himself because of his family ties to Umno while Attorney General Tommy Thomas said he did know of such ties.
According to Malaysiakini, Mohd Sophian is to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court Commercial Crime division effective Aug 1.
Najib's case is to be heard at the High Court on Aug 8, after he had claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust and another charge of abuse of power involving RM42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Malaysiakini also said High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who was appointed a judicial commissioner in April 2015, confirmed last year and is presently at the Commercial Division, is to be transferred laterally to the Kuala Lumpur High Court criminal division effective Wednesday.
The circular detailing the two transfers have been issued and there may be more judges affected as, normally several judges from various divisions or states would be transferred in one exercise for them to gain both expertise and experience.
It is not certain if Mohd Nazlan would be presiding over Najib's case.
Checks by theSun still show Mohd Sophian presiding over the case.