17-4-2024 (SINGAPORE): Pritam Singh, the prominent leader of the Workers’ Party and the opposition chief, has engaged legal counsel to defend himself against two charges of providing false testimony during the parliamentary inquiry into the Raeesah Khan affair. This high-profile case has captured the nation’s attention, as Singh stands accused of wilfully misleading the Committee of Privileges over the controversial Khan case.
The pre-trial conference, a crucial step in the legal proceedings, was held on Wednesday morning (Apr 17) at the State Courts. However, Singh’s absence was notable, as he opted not to appear in person. Instead, his newly appointed legal team, comprising seasoned lawyers Andre Darius Jumabhoy and Aristotle Emmanuel Eng Zhen Yang, attended the administrative hearing on his behalf before District Judge Chee Min Ping.
Pre-trial conferences, typically conducted behind closed doors, serve as preparatory meetings for both the prosecution and the defence, laying the groundwork for the upcoming trial. In this instance, the court’s system indicated that the conference would be adjourned until May 31, citing the recent appointment of Singh’s legal counsel.
Jumabhoy, the founder of his eponymous boutique law firm, boasts an impressive track record as a dedicated trial lawyer with extensive experience in criminal, civil, and white-collar crime cases. Having commenced his legal career as a barrister in London in 2003, he later relocated to Singapore in 2011, where he joined the Attorney-General’s Chambers as a Deputy Public Prosecutor. His credentials include a Bachelor of Laws from the prestigious King’s College London, obtained in 2002.
When approached for a statement, Jumabhoy’s law firm confirmed their representation of Singh but declined to provide further details at this juncture, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The charges against Singh stem from his alleged false statements made on December 10 and December 15, 2021, during the public hearings of the Committee of Privileges held at Parliament House. The inquiry centred around the controversial case of Raeesah Khan, who had fabricated claims of accompanying a sexual assault victim to a police station and accused the authorities of mishandling the case.
Singh is accused of testifying falsely that he had wanted Khan to clarify her statements in Parliament regarding the alleged incident and that he had spoken to her with the intention of conveying the need for clarification on the same issue.
During his initial court appearance on March 19, Singh pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him. If convicted under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act for providing false testimony, he could face severe penalties, including up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to S$7,000, or a combination of both punishments for each charge.
