Lawyer Marcella Santoso Faces 17-Year Prison Demand in Bribery and Money Laundering Case Linked to Cooking Oil Trial

Defendant and lawyer Marcella Santoso has been demanded to serve 17 years in prison. Prosecutors are convinced that Marcella is guilty of alleged bribery related to an acquittal verdict in the cooking oil case, as well as money laundering.

“The court declares that the defendant Marcella Santoso has been proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing the criminal offence of corruption by jointly bribing judges, and of committing money laundering jointly,” said prosecutors whilst reading the indictment at the Central Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday (18 February 2026).

“The court sentences the defendant Marcella Santoso to 17 years’ imprisonment,” prosecutors added.

Prosecutors demanded that Marcella pay a fine of Rp 600 million, with a subsidiary sentence of 150 days’ imprisonment in lieu of payment. Prosecutors also demanded that Marcella pay restitution of Rp 21,602,138,412 (Rp 21.6 billion), with a subsidiary sentence of eight years’ imprisonment.

“The defendant is ordered to pay restitution amounting to Rp 21,602,138,412,” said prosecutors.

“Should the defendant no longer possess sufficient assets to pay the restitution, she shall be sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment,” prosecutors added.

Prosecutors stated that Marcella’s actions undermined the government’s programme for clean governance free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism. Furthermore, her conduct had damaged public trust, particularly in the judicial institution.

Prosecutors said that Marcella’s actions had tarnished the dignity and standing of the legal profession. As the party giving the bribe, Marcella had enjoyed the proceeds of the criminal act and had not admitted to her actions.

“There are no mitigating circumstances,” said prosecutors.

Prosecutors also demanded the permanent revocation of Marcella’s licence to practise as a lawyer. They are convinced that Marcella violated Article 6 paragraph 1 letter (a) in conjunction with Article 18 of the Anti-Corruption Law, in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, and Article 607 paragraph 1 letter (a) in conjunction with Article 20 letter (a) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.

“The court orders the bar association to permanently disbar the defendant Marcella Santoso from her profession as a lawyer,” said prosecutors.

In this case, Marcella is accused of channelling Rp 40 billion in bribes to judges together with three other defendants — Ariyanto, Juanedi Saibih, and M Syafei — acting as representatives of the Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group. Prosecutors also charged Marcella, Ariyanto, and M Syafei with money laundering.