Court of Appeal dismisses prosecution appeal, maintaining acquittal of former Felda director-general in RM47.63 million criminal breach of trust case.
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the acquittal of a former Felda senior officer on two counts of abetment in a criminal breach of trust case involving more than RM47 million.
A three-member bench led by Justice Datuk Azmi Ariffin unanimously dismissed the prosecution’s appeal to reinstate the Sessions Court’s conviction of Datuk Faizoull Ahmad.
The panel found no reason to disturb the High Court’s decision that had acquitted and discharged the former Felda director-general.
Justice Azmi stated the prosecution’s appeal lacked merit and the appellate court concurred with the High Court’s findings.
Faizoull had been charged with abetting Felda’s former deputy director-general Muhammad Sufi Mahbub in committing criminal breach of trust involving RM47.63 million.
Muhammad Sufi was accused of dishonestly approving payments of RM25,999,000 and RM21,626,500 without Felda board approval.
The alleged offences occurred at Wisma Felda building between January 13 and July 23, 2014.
The Sessions Court had convicted both men in June 2018, sentencing Faizoull to two years’ jail on each count.
The High Court allowed Faizoull’s appeal in September 2022, setting aside his conviction and ordering his acquittal.
Muhammad Sufi’s appeal was struck out after his death during the appeal proceedings. – Bernama
