Niko graft case: Hearing on plea to produce FBI agent, Canadian cops Jan 3

A special court in Dhaka today fixed January 3 for holding a hearing on a petition seeking permission to produce an FBI special agent and two members of Canadian police in connection with the Niko corruption case.

The court also asked all the 11 accused, including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, of the case to appear before the court on the day. 

Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka passed the order, reports our staff correspondent from the spot.

Earlier, Judge Md Mahmoodul Kabir of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka fixed today (December 9) for hearing on the petition.

On November 22, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, in a press briefing at his official residence, claimed that investigations by FBI and Canadian Police have found involvement of Hawa Bhaban in the Niko graft case.

On the same day, the AG submitted a petition to a Dhaka court seeking permission to produce three witnesses, including an FBI special agent, before it in connection with the graft case.

The FBI operative is Debra Laprevotte. Names of the two others could not be known immediately.

Earlier on November 14, the same court fixed January 3 next year for hearing on charge framing against the accused.

On December 9, 2007, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Niko graft case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing Khaleda and 10 others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko during her tenure as prime minister.

In 2011, Laprevotte had helped ACC in its probe against Tarique Rahman, son of BNP Chief Khaleda Zia, and Giausuddin Al Mamun in a money-laundering case.

The same year, she also testified before a Dhaka court against the duo in the money laundering case. Tarique and Mamun were later sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.