The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be quizzed Thursday in connection with the Niko graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission against her and four others.

"Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister, will be questioned Thursday at the makeshift jail. The exact timing of questioning has not yet been fixed," a competent source told UNB.

The investigation team, including investigation officer ACC assistant director Shahidur Rahman will question her and record her statements, the source added.

On February 17, Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Golam Rabbani passed an order to question the former Prime Minister following an application from the IO of the case.

The anti-graft watchdog filed the case with Tejgaon police station on December 9 last year against Khaleda Zia, ex-Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former state minister for energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former acting energy secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam, and Vice-president (South Asia) of Niko Resources Bangladesh Ltd Kashem Sharif.

They were accused of signing the "illegal" deal with the Canadian company, Niko, through corrupt means, inflicting a loss of Tk 10,000 crore on the state during their rule.

Detained former Law Minister Moudud and AKM Mosharraf have already been questioned at their respective jail gates at the end of January in connection with the case.

The investigation team also questioned businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun and former Dhaka Club president Selim Bhuiyan shown arrested in the case. The ACC has also questioned a number of bureaucrats from different ministries regarding the high-profile case. Besides, relevant files and documents have been seized. The investigation team also made some spot visits, including Chhatak gas field.