Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed the lawyer’s bid to move his case to the higher court although no mention dates were set.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul told the court he had no objections to the transfer bid.

Hasnal Rezua Merican, representing Hafarizam, said the defence wanted the case heard in the higher court as the Sessions Court judge might not give his client a fair hearing.

“He might feel compelled to concur and to uphold the findings by the higher court, even though he is not bound to that,” he said, referring to the High Court hearing Najib’s SRC International case.

The former prime minister has been ordered to enter his defence on charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering over RM42 million in SRC International funds channelled to his bank account.

Hasnal also cited the case of Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Najib’s lawyer, who is accused of receiving RM9.5 million from the former prime minister and who likewise won his bid to transfer his case to the High Court.

Hafarizam, who previously represented Najib in his civil cases, sought to move his money laundering case to the High Court before trial began on Oct 22.

The 47-year-old lawyer was accused of receiving cheques amounting to RM15 million from Najib between April 16, 2014 and Feb 12, 2015 which were deposited in the client account of his firm at the time, Hafarizam Wan Aisha Mubarak.

The RM15 million given by Najib was said to be proceeds from illegal activities.

If found guilty, Hafarizam will face a maximum 15 years’ jail sentence and a fine of not less than five times the sum of the illegal proceeds.