Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Acquitted in Niko Corruption Case

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Acquitted in Niko Corruption Case

On Wednesday, a judicial court in Dhaka delivered a verdict acquitting Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, in the Niko corruption case.

Following the verdict, Khaleda Zia's lawyer, Aminul Islam, stated, “In this case, several members of Sheikh Hasina's cabinet were also accused, but they were later relieved of the charges. However, Khaleda Zia was not granted relief from the case, as it was politically motivated to humiliate her.”

Mr. Islam further stated, “The investigating officer in this case did not testify against Khaleda Zia. Even foreign witnesses who appeared did not testify against her. Not a single one of the 39 witnesses testified against her.”

After the arguments from both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the defense were presented on February 13, the court set the date for the verdict.

In March of the previous year, the judicial court rejected the petitions for acquittal of Khaleda Zia and seven other accused and proceeded with the formal charges.

In December 2007, the ACC filed the Niko corruption case at Tejgaon Police Station in Dhaka, accusing 11 individuals of causing financial damage and corruption through a ‘controversial’ deal with Canadian company Niko.

The case alleges that the accused caused a financial loss of nearly 13,777 crore Bangladeshi Taka to the state.

Other accused in this case include former Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary Kamal Uddin Siddique, former Bapex General Manager Mir Moynul Haque, Vice President of Niko for South Asia Khashem Sharif, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Khondkar Shahidul Islam.

Additionally, former Senior Assistant Secretary C.M. Yusuf Hossain, businessman Gias Uddin Al Mamun, and former Member of Parliament from Bagerhat M.A.H. Selim are also among the accused in the case.