Why was Najib denied leave to appeal the 1MDB lawsuit ruling?

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Najib Denied Leave to Appeal 1MDB Lawsuit Ruling

The Federal Court denied former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak leave to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that prevented him from attending proceedings related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) US$681 million civil lawsuit. The court found the matter to be academic and not a fit and proper case to grant leave under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Najib was ordered to pay RM30,000 in costs to 1MDB and its subsidiaries.
Court Deemed Matter Academic

A three-member Federal Court bench, comprising Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, and Federal Court judges Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, unanimously dismissed Najib's application. Justice Abdul Rahman stated that the court was not persuaded that the case warranted granting leave for appeal, deeming the issue academic. This decision followed previous dismissals of Najib's applications by the High Court on November 10, 2022, and the Court of Appeal on November 24, 2023.
Previous Legal Challenges Regarding Mareva Injunction

Najib's initial application was to be present in proceedings concerning the lifting of a Mareva Injunction. This injunction, granted on February 8, 2022, and upheld on September 27, 2023, freezes Najib's assets pending the determination of the civil suit filed by 1MDB and its four subsidiaries in May 2021. The injunction permits Najib to withdraw a maximum of RM100,000 per month for living and legal expenses, with any further withdrawals requiring written permission.
Arguments Presented in Court

During the proceedings, Najib's lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, argued that his client wished to attend to brief his legal team. Conversely, counsel for 1MDB and its subsidiaries, Siva Kumar Kanagasabai, contended that the matter had become academic because the hearing for the Mareva Injunction, which Najib sought to attend, had already concluded.
Future Proceedings for Injunction Appeal

Despite the denial of leave to appeal the attendance ruling, Najib's appeal to lift the Mareva Injunction itself is still scheduled. His other counsel, Alaistar Brandah Norman, informed reporters that case management for this appeal is set for August 26. The civil suit was filed against Najib and several other individuals, including former 1MDB finance director Terrence Geh Choh Heng and former 1MDB counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.

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Why was Najib denied leave to appeal the 1MDB lawsuit ruling?

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