Lim Guan Eng’s lead defence team and the prosecution have engaged in a war of words during the former Penang chief minister’s corruption trial linked to the RM6.3 billion island state undersea tunnel project.

The argument was triggered over the defence team’s bid to recuse deputy public prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim from being part of the prosecution team in the graft case against the former finance minister.

During proceedings before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, lead defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo sought for...