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Kuala Lumpur: The High Court has acquitted lawyer Shafee Abdullah of money laundering charges involving RM9.5 million allegedly received from Najib Razak, as well as making false declarations to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

Justice Jamil Hussin said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

On Sept 13, 2018, Shafee pleaded not guilty to receiving proceeds from unlawful activities via cheques issued by the former prime minister, which were remitted into his CIMB Bank Berhad account.

He allegedly received a cheque for RM4.3 million on Sept 13, 2013, and another for RM5.2 million on Feb 17, 2014.

Shafee was also charged with two counts of engaging in transactions resulting from illegal activities, namely submitting incorrect tax returns for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2013, and Dec 31, 2014.

He was alleged to have omitted income of RM4.3 million received on Sept 13, 2013, and RM5.2 million that was received on Feb 17, 2014 in his tax returns.

The money was received through two AmIslamic Bank Berhad accounts belonging to Najib and deposited into Shafee’s two CIMB Bank Berhad accounts.

The offences were allegedly committed at the LHDN’s Jalan Duta branch at Kompleks Pejabat Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here on March 3, 2015 and June 29, 2015.