Court jails ex-Malaysian first lady for corruption
A Malaysian court on Thursday sentenced Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, to ten years in prison for seeking and receiving bribes in exchange for government contracts.
The judgement came just days after her husband was jailed for corruption.
Rosmah Mansor and Najib Razak, have been the focus of multiple graft investigations since Mr Najib’s surprise election defeat in 2018, when voters’ anger over a separate, multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal ended his nine years in power.
A flamboyant figure by Mr Najib’s side, Ms Rosmah was widely scorned in Malaysia for her extravagant lifestyle and penchant for Hermes Birkin bags, and faced repeated questions over her influence in government matters.
Ms Rosmah will also have to pay a fine of 970 million ringgit ($216.45 million), a record amount in Malaysia’s history over three bribery charges, Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said, adding that the prosecution proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
She will remain free on bail pending appeals to higher courts.
Ms Rosmah, dressed in a yellow baju kurung, a traditional Malaysian long blouse and skirt and matching headscarf, addressed the judge tearfully immediately after the verdict.
“I must admit that I’m very sad with what happened today. Nobody saw me taking the money, nobody saw me counting the money but if that’s the conclusion, I leave it to God.”
Her lawyers had asked for a one-day jail sentence, while prosecutors sought “maximum or near maximum.”
Ms Rosmah, 70, had pleaded not guilty to the three charges of soliciting and receiving bribes between 2016 and 2017 to help a company secure a 279 million dollars’ solar power supply project from Najib’s government.
Prosecutors said Ms Rosmah sought a bribe of 187.5 million ringgit ($41.80 million), and received 6.5 million ringgit from an official of the company that won the project.
Ms Rosmah has argued that she was framed by her former aide as well as several government and company officials involved in the project.
She also faces 17 charges of money laundering and tax evasion in a separate case.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
U.S. govt will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 elections: Riley Moore
“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed,” he said.
NationWide
NAPTAN backs replacement of NYSC khaki with adire, says it supports cultural identity
“We must support the use of indigenous fabrics and discourage sectional, tribal sentiments on this proposal,” he said.
States
Zamfara will never negotiate with bandits, says Gov. Lawal
“The governor will never negotiate with bandits. Those willing to surrender should do so or face the law,” he said.
NationWide
Lawyers raise concerns over FG’s plan to scrap fines for drug offences
Their reactions followed plans by the federal government to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers.
Politics
APC chairmen court Arewa, Ndigbo, other non-indigenous Lagos communities for Tinubu’s reelection
The APC state chairmen met with non-indigenous communities in Lagos on Sunday.
Economy
Seplat ends routine gas flaring, expands investment in LPG
Mr Ezugworie said the company achieved the feat by the end of 2025, describing it as a remarkable accomplishment both in Nigeria and globally.
