Begum Zia's Niko graft case goes to trial

The court has ordered the trial of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the Niko corruption case. May 23 has been fixed as the day of hearing.

Begum Zia is accused of misusing her position to favor the Canadian company Niko for a gas exploration and extraction contract.

A Dhaka court filed charges in the highly publicized Niko graft case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others.

Justice Sheikh Hafizur Rahman rejected the defense lawyers' requests for time extensions and presented the allegations against the accused in a temporary courtroom of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-9 at Dhaka Central Prison in Keraniganj.

On December 9, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against five people, including Khaleda Zia, at the Tejgaon police station for misusing their position of authority by signing a contract with the Canadian company Niko for gas exploration and extraction.

On May 5, 2008, the ACC filed charges against 11 people, including Khaleda Zia. The ACC accused them that, they had cost the state exchequer more than 13 thousand and 777 crores taka.