PUTRAJAYA: There is no direct evidence to suggest that Datuk Seri Najib Razak instructed for funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to be transferred for his personal use, the High Court heard.

Retired police officer R. Rajagopal said this was the finding of his investigation into the global financial scandal involving the sovereign wealth fund several years ago.

He said the probe also found no direct evidence that Najib, as the sole shareholder, had instructed the 1MDB board of directors to act improperly.

Rajagopal was testifying as a defence witness in Najib's corruption trial. The former prime minister is accused of misappropriating billions in 1MDB funds.

He said his investigation focused on whether the 1MDB board of directors had made decisions in good faith.

The 11th defence witness said that under 1MDB's memorandum and articles of association, all transactions must be decided by the board of directors and approved by the sole shareholder, namely Najib.

"There was no direct evidence showing Najib instructed where the money should go. I did not find any," he said during cross-examination by Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Yesterday, Rajagopal had revealed that portions of misappropriated 1MDB funds had landed in Najib's personal bank accounts.

He also agreed with the prosecution's suggestion that 1MDB's former top management — then chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, his successor Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman and former chief financial officer Azmi Tahir — did not receive any money from the company.

Najib faces four charges of using his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.