DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Wednesday (October 25) adjourned the hearing to November 20 upon charge-framing against 11 accused including BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Niko corruption case.

Advocate Sanaullah Miah moved for Khaleda Zia, Barrister Moudud Ahmed and AKM Mosharraf Hossain—three accused among the 11 in the case, and plead for time extension.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajol appealed to the court seeking arrest warrants for the three accused and charge-framing in the case. 

Dhaka-9 Special court Judge Mahmudul Kabir granted time for the three and deferred the date to November 20.

However, on Wednesday, Gias Uddin Al Mamun, an accused in the case who is now in jail, was produced before the court while the above-mentioned three others were absent. 

Besides, another four accused--Former secretaries Md Shafiur Rahman, Khondker Shahidul Islam, CM Yusuf Hossain and Former President of Dhaka Club Selim Bhuiyan—who are currently on bail, appeared before the court. 

Another three accused—Former secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Former General Manager of Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited (BAPEX) Meer Moinul Haque and Niko South Asia Affairs Vice President Kashem Sharif are absconding.

In December 2007, the ACC filed the case accusing the 11 people over misusing power to grant a gas deal to Canadian company Niko when Khaleda was the prime minister of Bangladesh between 2001 and 2006.

BDST: 1345 HRS, OCT 25, 2017
SI/SMS