Shafee will assist Najib’s lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, in Najib’s recusal application.

After proceedings resumed following a short break, Hisyam told the Federal Court that Shafee was coming to court and will assist him in Najib’s bid to recuse Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.

Tengku Maimun then asked Hisyam: “I thought he has been discharged?”

Hisyam told the court he persuaded Shafee to return to the legal team.

Tengku Maimun then said Hisyam could start his arguments first while waiting for Shafee to arrive.

Shafee arrived after 11am.

Earlier today, Najib filed an application to recuse Tengku Maimun from hearing the appeal on grounds that her husband, Zamani Ibrahim, had “negative sentiments” towards his leadership, which he expressed in a Facebook post in the aftermath of the 14th general election.

Shafee and fellow lawyers Harvinderjit Singh and Farhan Read previously handled the SRC International case when it was heard in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

On July 26, it was reported that Najib had discharged Shafee from representing him in his final appeal, and that Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners would take over from them as solicitors, with Hisyam acting as lead counsel.

Last Thursday, Hisyam sought to discharge himself as Najib’s counsel, citing a lack of time to prepare for the case. However, the Federal Court bench disallowed him from doing so.

Sitting with Tengku Maimun are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and apex court judges Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim and Zabidin Diah.

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