Former Supreme Court Secretary Seeks Acquittal, Claims All Transactions Were Purely Private Business

Former Supreme Court (MA) Secretary Nurhadi has requested to be freed from a seven-year prison demand related to allegations of gratification and money laundering (TPPU). Nurhadi’s lawyer asked the judge to declare his client not guilty in the case.

“(We request the panel of judges) to therefore acquit the Defendant Nurhadi from all charges or at the very least discharge him from all legal proceedings,” said Nurhadi’s lawyer while reading the duplicate at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Friday (27/3/2026).

“Order the Public Prosecutor to release the Defendant Nurhadi from custody immediately after this verdict is pronounced,” he continued.

He assessed that the KPK prosecutors were doubtful about the content of their indictment because they provided a response or rebuttal in writing. According to him, KPK prosecutors often deliver rebuttals orally rather than in writing.

“Restore the Defendant Nurhadi’s rights in terms of his abilities, position, dignity, and honour. Order the Public Prosecutor to return all evidence from which the assets were seized. Order the Public Prosecutor to return evidence that was clearly not seized in this case,” he stated.

He rejected the demand for replacement money payments to Nurhadi. He assessed that all transactions charged in this case were purely business transactions and did not cause state losses.

“All transactions in the charges are purely business transactions conducted by witness Rezky Herbiyono or his agents,” he said.

He stated that Nurhadi did not receive bribes from Hiendra Soenjoto, Director of Multicon Indrajaya Terminal (MIT), amounting to around Rp 35 billion. He said that Nurhadi’s name as an MA official was instead exploited by his son-in-law, Rezky Herbiyono.

“In the matter of receiving bribes, there is a criminal threat under the Corruption Law, whereas in terms of knowledge and awareness, the exploitation of official status, the defendant Nurhadi did nothing,” he said.

He claimed that Nurhadi had also proven the origins of his wealth. This includes income from salary as a state official and a swiftlet nest farming business.

“The defendant has fulfilled his obligation to prove that the wealth related to the case does not originate from or relate to criminal acts,” he said.

He stated that the credit taken by Rezky Herbiyono had no connection to Nurhadi. He claimed that Nurhadi never received a single penny from Rezky.

“The receipt by Rezky Herbiyono in 2015 or after 2014 comes from Bank Bukopin and investments that have no connection to the Defendant,” said Nurhadi’s lawyer.

“No transactions were found from the Defendant to Rezky Herbiyono or vice versa from Rezky Herbiyono to the Defendant. Furthermore, the Defendant in the trial has also affirmed in his testimony that he did not receive a single penny from Rezky Herbiyono or his agents,” he continued.

Furthermore, he said that the practice of handling cases in the MA environment cannot be done alone. He cited cases involving former MA official Zarof Ricar, ex-Chief Justice Sudrajat Dimyati, and Gazalba Saleh.

“The practice of giving gratification or bribes related to cases is certain to involve a group or many parties, as in the cases of Supreme Court officials Zarof Ricar, Chief Justice Sudrajat Dimyati, Gazalba Saleh, and others. It is impossible for gratification considered as bribes because it relates to position and is contrary to duties, in this case related to cases, to be done alone as charged against the Defendant,” he said.

Demanded 7 Years in Prison

Previously, Nurhadi was demanded seven years in prison. The prosecutors are convinced that Nurhadi is guilty in the alleged gratification and money laundering case.

“Declare the defendant Nurhadi proven legally and convincingly guilty under the law of committing corruption,” said the prosecutor while reading the indictment at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Friday (13/3).

“Impose a prison sentence on the defendant Nurhadi of seven years,” added the prosecutor.

The prosecutors also demanded that Nurhadi pay a fine of Rp 500 million or subsidiary 140 days. The prosecutors also demanded that Nurhadi pay replacement money of Rp 137,159,183,940 or subsidiary three years imprisonment.

The prosecutors are convinced that Nurhadi cannot prove the origins of the assets used to purchase several assets and vehicles he owns. The prosecutors believe that Nurhadi’s legitimate income from salary as Supreme Court Secretary and swiftlet nest farming business is not comparable to the alleged amount of gratification he received.

The prosecutors said that Nurhadi did not report the purchase of houses and other assets in the State Organiser’s Wealth Report (LHKPN). However, the prosecutors said that LHKPN reporting is an obligation for all state officials.

The aggravating considerations for the demand are that Nurhadi’s actions do not support the government’s programme in eradicating corruption. Then, said the prosecutor, Nurhadi violated special official duties or committed criminal acts by abusing authority, opportunities, or facilities given to him because of his position.

“The mitigating factors for the defendant are that he has family dependents,” said the prosecutor.

The prosecutors are convinced that Nurhadi is guilty of violating Article 12B in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code as in the first charge. And money laundering as regulated in Article 607 paragraph 1 letter a in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code as in the second charge.