Niko graft: Court fixes March 25 for charge framing hearing against Khaleda

A Dhaka court today fixed March 25 for the charge framing hearing in connection with the Niko graft case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and eight others.

Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka also directed the authorities concerned to submit a report on the death of a BNP standing committee member and noted lawyer Moudud Ahmed, an accused in the case.

The court passed the order after one of Moudud's lawyers submitted a petition before the court informing about his death, defence counsel advocate Zia Uddin told The Daily Star.

Former law minister Moudud died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, around 6:30 pm on March 16 at the age of 81.

During today's hearing, advocate Zaynal Abedin Meshbah, a defence lawyer, represented Khaleda Zia in the court in her absence.

Khaleda Zia -- who is now out of jail following an executive order from the government -- is unwell and cannot leave her residence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the defence lawyers.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in December 2007, accusing Khaleda and several others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to a Canadian company called Niko when she was prime minister between 2001 and 2006.

Among the other accused, Giausuddin Al Mamun, close friend of BNP acting Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, is now in jail, four other accused are now on bail and three others are on the run.