October 5, 2002	Saturday	Rajab 27, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: An accountability court on Friday issued the non-bailable warrant for the arrest of Amir Lodhi, a co-accused in the defence deals corruption reference.

He has been accused of receiving $1,739,282 as kickbacks from suppliers.

The accountability court while dealing with the former naval chief Mansoorul Haq, the main convict in the case, had separated the case of Amir Lodhi from that Mr Haq. The court adjourned the hearing in the case till October 17. The case is now being taken up again after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) moved an application to proceed against the accused under section 31-A of the NAB Ordinance.

The court has already released Mansoorul Haq by accepting his plea bargain after he offered to pay back $7.5 million.

According to the reference, Amir Lodhi, who is the absconder, was instrumental in obtaining commissions and kickbacks.

The commission money was transferred through offshore companies, established by Mr Lodhi.

The reference stated that an offshore company in the name of M/s Titan Europe was established, the account of which was opened at the ANZ Grindlays Bank, London. Subsequently another company in the name of M/s Foraker was established.

The share of kickbacks and commissions of Haq was transferred to another offshore company named M/s Molygrove, which according to the reference owned by the former naval chief.

APP adds: Meanwhile, an accountability court on Friday recorded the statement of a prosecution witness in BMW corruption reference against Asif Zardari.

The Judge, Muhammad Aslam, recorded the statements of Syed Masudul Hasan, the assistant excise and taxation officer, and adjourned the hearing till October 18.

The accused was present in the Court.