Two additional witnesses provided testimony today in the ongoing Niko graft case involving BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and seven co-accused individuals. The witnesses, Miraz Hossain and Abdul Baki, appeared before the court to provide their statements.

The testimony and cross-examination of Miraz Hossain were concluded during today's session. However, the testimony of Abdul Baki is yet to be completed. Following the proceedings, Judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 adjourned the hearing until April 4.

The charges against the eight accused were framed by the court on March 19, 2023. On that day, Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently out on bail, pleaded not guilty through her lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder and demanded justice.

In addition to Khaleda Zia, the other accused individuals in the case include Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, Khandaker Shahidul Islam, CM Eusuf Hossain, Mir Moinul Haque, Gias Uddin Al Mamun, Selim Bhuiyan, and Kashem Sharif.

The case, initiated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), dates back to December 9, 2007, when it was filed with Tejgaon police station. The charges allege abuse of power in signing a deal with Canadian company Niko for gas exploration and extraction, resulting in a loss of over Taka 13 thousand crore to the state exchequer.

While three of the accused—Barrister Moudud Ahmed, AKM Mosharraf Hossain, and Md Shafiur Rahman—passed away due to natural causes, the remaining eight defendants continue to face legal proceedings.