Dhaka, Nov 17 (V7N)- Seven witnesses gave testimony in the Niko corruption case involving BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and seven other accused. The court has scheduled December 1 for the next round of witness testimonies.

The witnesses included former Petrobangla director Mohammad Makbul Elahi, Senior Manager Mohammad Abdul Khalek, former Ministry of Religious Affairs secretary Syed Sazedul Karim, and other officials linked to various ministries and departments. Khaleda Zia’s lawyers presented attendance documents before cross-examining the witnesses.

The case, filed on December 9, 2007, by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), accuses Khaleda Zia and her co-defendants of financial irregularities that allegedly caused a loss of Tk 13,777 crore to the state. These losses stem from a controversial contract with Canadian company Niko.

Judge Mohammad Ali Ahsan of Dhaka's 9th Special Court is presiding over the case, where 24 out of 68 witnesses have testified so far. The charges against the accused were formally framed on March 19, 2023.

Among the co-accused are former officials and businessmen, including Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Khondaker Shahidul Islam, and Giasuddin Al Mamun. However, three of the accused—Kashim Sharif, Mir Moinul Haque, and Kamal Uddin—remain fugitives.

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, and former Bapex secretary Mohammad Shafiur Rahman have been acquitted posthumously due to their passing.

END/MSS/AJ