ACC inquiring into graft allegations against Khaleda, Hasina in Niko deal
Friday, 19 October 2007
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is inquiring into allegations of corruption and irregularities against former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina along with ministers and bureaucrats during the two governments of BNP and Awami League in signing contract with Canadian company Niko, reports UNB.
"The issue of Niko is at inquiry stage. Two inquiry officers have been appointed for the periods of two previous governments," ACC Secretary Mokhles-ur-Rahman said at a regular briefing of the Commission Thursday.
He said, "The matters to inquire are why the lowest bidder was not awarded the deal, and if the state incurred any financial loss because of declaring a gas-field abandoned, if the contract was non-transparent and if anyone was personally benefited."
He added, "If the inquiries proved the allegations in the matter, next necessary measures will be taken."
Asked what would be the next measures, Mokhles said, if corruption is proved, first information report (FIR) would be filed, followed by investigation, and then the case would go to court.
Replying to a query, he said, the involvement of all - beginning from heads of state to ministers and bureaucrats - are being inquired. The inquiries, that begun about two-three weeks ago, are expected to be completed by November, he also said.
Asked about two former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina being accused in the same case, Mokhles said, it would be decided after receiving inquiry report whether there would be one case or more.
When his attention was drawn to media reports that Khaleda's involvement was not found, he said, "We have not yet received the inquiry report. It's too early for me to comment."
About the progress of investigation in the case, filed against former Prime Minister Hasina on September 2, Mokhles said, though the investigation has begun a bit late due to court intervention, it would be completed within the stipulated time.
Asked if Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko would be questioned, he said, if the investigation officer deems it necessary, Koko could be questioned.
The ACC secretary also informed that AL presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury's son Shahdat Akbar Chowdhury submitted his wealth statement to the Commission on October 16.
"The issue of Niko is at inquiry stage. Two inquiry officers have been appointed for the periods of two previous governments," ACC Secretary Mokhles-ur-Rahman said at a regular briefing of the Commission Thursday.
He said, "The matters to inquire are why the lowest bidder was not awarded the deal, and if the state incurred any financial loss because of declaring a gas-field abandoned, if the contract was non-transparent and if anyone was personally benefited."
He added, "If the inquiries proved the allegations in the matter, next necessary measures will be taken."
Asked what would be the next measures, Mokhles said, if corruption is proved, first information report (FIR) would be filed, followed by investigation, and then the case would go to court.
Replying to a query, he said, the involvement of all - beginning from heads of state to ministers and bureaucrats - are being inquired. The inquiries, that begun about two-three weeks ago, are expected to be completed by November, he also said.
Asked about two former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina being accused in the same case, Mokhles said, it would be decided after receiving inquiry report whether there would be one case or more.
When his attention was drawn to media reports that Khaleda's involvement was not found, he said, "We have not yet received the inquiry report. It's too early for me to comment."
About the progress of investigation in the case, filed against former Prime Minister Hasina on September 2, Mokhles said, though the investigation has begun a bit late due to court intervention, it would be completed within the stipulated time.
Asked if Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko would be questioned, he said, if the investigation officer deems it necessary, Koko could be questioned.
The ACC secretary also informed that AL presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury's son Shahdat Akbar Chowdhury submitted his wealth statement to the Commission on October 16.