Dhaka: The High Court on Thursday stayed the trial proceedings against BNP leader Moudud Ahmed in the Niko graft case for eight weeks.

An HC bench comprising Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal and Justice Shahidul Karim passed the order following a petition filed by Moudud Ahmed.

ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam said the HC stayed the proceedings of Niko graft case against Moudud for eight weeks following a petition filed by him seeking a stay of the trail proceedings of the case. 

Deputy Attorney General Fazlur Rahman Khan represented the state while Khurshid Alam stood for ACC and Moudud stood for himself with the help of Barrister Syed Tajrul Hossain.

The ACC will file an appeal against the HC order, said the ACC lawyer.

The ACC on December 9, 2007 filed the Niko graft case against Moudud and four others in connection with a Tk 137.77 loss to the national exchequer caused by the signing of an oil-gas exploration agreement with Niko during the previous BNP regime.

Later on May 5, 2008, it submitted chargesheet against 11 people.

On July 9, 2008, the High Court adjourned the proceedings of the case.