Nurima Juli, 35, and Sadam Kiram, 30, claimed trial after the charge was read to them before Justice Duncan Sikodol, Harian Metro reported.

They were jointly accused of murdering Nurman Bakaratu, 61, at  an oil palm plantation near Jalan Anjur Juara, Batu 5 Jalan Apas, between 7.30pm and 11.30pm on Jan 13, 2023.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34 of the same code, which provides for the death penalty, or up to 40 years’ jail and whipping, upon conviction.

The judge fixed Oct 18 for case management and submitted an application to the chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak that he be recused from hearing the case.

Duncan said this was to prevent injustice and bias since he had presided over the first case which saw Nurima appearing as the prosecution’s main witness.

In that trial, the High Court acquitted eight people, including former Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) officer Mat Zaki Zain, of killing Nurman after Nurima reportedly confessed to the murder.