Canada police to quiz BNP leaders

Canada police will interview two BNP leaders over suspected corruption by Niko Resources in securing oil and gas exploration contract in Bangladesh.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 July 2014, 07:24 PM
Updated : 7 July 2014, 07:24 PM

ACC Commissioner M Sahabuddin told reporters on Monday the Royal Canadian Mounted Police wanted to question former foreign minister M Morshed Khan and ex-adviser to Khaleda Zia Mahmudur Rahman.

He said the ACC would extend legal cooperation to the Canadian police.

Sahabuddin said the mounted police wrote to the Attorney General’s Office several months ago saying they were investigating the suspected corruption of Niko, a Canadian exploration company.

The letter also included the name of late finance minister M Saifur Rahman on the list of persons to be quizzed.

The commissioner said the Attorney General’s Office requested the ACC to extend legal support to the Canada police as a case filed by the commission over the suspected corruption was pending with the court.

He said the Canadian police started looking into the corruption in 2005 and already found Senator Mac Harb’s link.

Quoting the mounted police, Sahabuddin said the three BNP leaders discussed transactions of graft money with Harb.

He said: “We held discussions several times after receiving a letter from the Attorney General’s Office and decided to cooperate with them (Canada police).

“The Attorney General’s Office will deal with the questioning. We’ll extend legal cooperation to them by providing information found in the probe (into Niko corruption).”

The ACC, on Dec 9, 2007 during the caretaker government, sued incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Prime Minister Khaleda for awarding Niko oil and gas exploration contract in Bangladesh through corruption.

The High Court on Mar 11, 2010 dismissed the case against Hasina but the one against Khaleda is awaiting verdict.