![[UPDATED] Court acquits Umno’s Lokman of fake news charge](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/20230623_lokman_noor_adam_bernama.jpeg)
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam was today acquitted and discharged by the sessions court here from two charges of spreading fake news on Covid-19 vaccinations in 2021.
The court found no prima facie case against him.
Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak said the court came to the decision after evaluating all testimonies and exhibits presented by the prosecution.
“The defence has successfully raised reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case and thus, the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused,” she said.
She then ordered the accused acquitted and discharged without having to enter his defence.
On October 1, 2021, Lokman, 50, pleaded not guilty to spreading fake news through audio-visual recordings in April and May, 2021.
He was accused of spreading fake news through audio-visual recordings about the spread of the Covid-19 virus due to the entry of Indian nationals into Malaysia, and using the “Lokman Adam” Facebook page to post false news on the death of a police officer due to the vaccine, with the intention of causing concern to the public at 10.55pm on May 3 and 10.38pm on April 9.
Both charges were brought under Section 4(1) of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) (No 2) 2021, which carries a fine of not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh prosecuted, while Lokman was represented by lawyer Logen Eskander. – The Vibes, June 23, 2023
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