(ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION) Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak returns to court on Monday (April 15) as his trial over charges linked to a multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) resumes.

The highly anticipated trial began April 3, nearly a year after Malaysians voted Najib out of office in a general election marked by public disgust over allegations that some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The trial relates to suspected transfers totalling 42 million ringgit ($10.30 million) into Najib's bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

He faces years in prison after being hit with a total of 42 criminal charges, most of them linked to losses at 1MDB and other state entities.

Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing and says the charges against him are politically motivated.

Authorities have also charged his wife, Rosmah Mansor, and several high-ranked officials of the former administration.

All of them have pleaded not guilty.