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KOTA BARU: The Sessions Court yesterday acquitted a former state financial officer and a contractor of a joint charge of fraud involving RM267,960 without calling for their defence.

It held that Shkori Mohamed, 57, did not abet contractor Yusri Che Noh, 39, in making false claims for that amount in a project to construct a building for rearing quails.

Judge Zainal L. Saleh said the court found that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against both accused.

"Therefore, the court has to acquit them without the need to call them to enter their defence."

Shkori was jointly charged with Yusri for committing the offence at the state treasury here in December 2008.

Yusri was accused of submitting the false claim to Shkori, who was then the state financial officer.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Hassan Abdul Latif prosecuted.

Shkori was represented by counsel Zainal Abidin Mustaffar, Ahmad Zaidi Zainal and T. Kumar, while Yusri was represented by counsel Azrul Stork Abdullah.

In his judgment, Zainal said the court found that there was no evidence of false items in the claims form submitted by Yusri.

"Based on the evidence presented to the court, there was no clear proof that both the accused were involved in making false claims," he said.

After the decision was handed down, Shkori was hugged by his wife, Dr Aesah Awang, as the couple shed tears of joy.

"The acquittal has vindicated me of the allegation. Truth prevails today and I thank Allah for that," he said outside the courtroom.