Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will appear before a Dhaka court on Thursday for presenting her self-defence statements in in Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

Sanaullah Mia, Khaleda Zia’s lawyer, confirmed it to NTV Online on Wednesday.

Sanaullah Mia said the BNP chief will appear before the court at about 11:00am.

The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

Meanwhile, another court deferred charge-framing hearing on Niko graft and Barapukuria coal mine cases.

Judge Aminul Islam of Dhaka Special Judge’s court-9 fixed 2 February for hearing the Niko graft case and February 15 for Barapukuria coal mine case.

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

On February 26, 2008, Md Shamsul Alam, the then Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption (ACC), filed the Barapukuria coal mine case with Shahbagh Police Station against 16 people, including Khaleda Zia and members of her cabinet for causing loss to the national exchequer in connection with the coal mine.