Judge’s warning in Tony Mokbel’s bid to overturn drug convictions

Tony Mokbel’s bid for freedom has taken another turn, with a judge delivering a stern warning in the high-profile legal case.

A judge in the ongoing legal case of Tony Mokbel has made a stern warning as the gangland figure seeks to appeal his drug trafficking convictions.

Mokbel wants his convictions overturned, claiming the charges were tainted by the Lawyer X scandal.

High-profile criminal barrister Nicola Gobbo was exposed as being used by police as an informant, thrusting many cases back into the spotlight, including Mokbel’s.

During a directions hearing on Tuesday, Justice David Beach ruled that Mokbel’s next hearing on February 2 be held in a closed court.

Tony Mokbel is seeking to appeal his drug trafficking charges. Picture: AFP Media

Only court staff and lawyers who have signed confidentiality undertakings of crucial Lawyer X documents will be allowed to appear, Justice Beach also ruled.

Police prosecutor Sashi Maharaj raised concerns about the size of Mokbel’s legal team, who would gain access to “highly sensitive material”.

She argued there was “no legitimate forensic purpose” for Mokbel and his legal team to view the documents and asked Justice Beach if it was possible to “confine the number of persons who may be able to access the material”.

But Justice Beach assured her it would be a “career-ending decision” if anybody appeared in the next hearing who had not signed the confidentiality undertaking.

“I expect that the parties will have an equality of arms on the second of February, so (Ms Maharaj) if there are three of you, there will be three of them,” he told the court.

Tony Mokbel was represented in the past by defence lawyer Nicola Gobbo.

Mokbel was appealing his drug trafficking conviction after Ms Gobbo acted for him while she was a registered informer with Victoria Police in 2006.

Mokbel’s bid for freedom will be heard by three Court of Appeal judges between April and June.

Another hearing was scheduled for February 2 of next year. He is being held at Barwon Prison.

Originally published as Judge’s warning in Tony Mokbel’s bid to overturn drug convictions