The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The investigation report on the Niko graft case filed against detained former premier Khaleda Zia and four others will be submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission tomorrow recommending submission of charge sheet against about 15 people, including the five charged initially.

"ACC assistant director Shahidur Rahman, the investigation officer (IO), will submit the memo of evidence (investigation report) tomorrow. He is likely to be recommending submission of charge sheet against more or less 15 individuals, including five accused in the first information report (FIR)," a competent source told UNB.

The 60-working day deadline, according to the rules, for the IO to submit the investigation report ends on March 13, the source said adding that the Commission can extend the time if it wants.

Replying to a query, the source said, "Yes, the IO will recommend submission of charge sheet against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and four other initially accused, as their involvement was found during investigation."

Apart from the initially accused ones, others who are likely to be recommended to be charge-sheeted include businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, former Dhaka Club president Selim Bhuiyan and Law Ministry joint secretary Noren Das.

Meanwhile, the investigation team of the case yesterday seized two air-conditioners from officials of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as they were allegedly given to the officers in bribe.

On December 9, ACC assistant director Mahbubul Alam filed the case with Tejgaon police station against Khaleda Zia, former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam and vice-president (South Asian Affairs) Niko Resources Bangladesh Limited Kashem Sharif.

They were accused of signing the "illegal" deal with Niko through corruption that inflicted a loss of Tk 10,000 crore on the state.

Our Court Correspondent adds: Masudur Rahman, Assistant Manager of Niko Company Limited yesterday gave confessional statement as witness against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the Niko graft case. Magistrate Waliul Islam of Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court recorded the voluntary statement of the witness.

Masud has reportedly described the story in his statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Md Mahbubul Alam, Assistant Director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), filed the case against 5 persons including Begum Khaleda Zia with Tejgaon Thana of Dhaka on December 9, 2007. About Niko company another similar case was filed against 6 persons including another former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Investigation of both cases has been continuing and yesterday was earlier fixed for submission of the inquiry report.