ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: An accountability court on Monday asked Amir Lodhi, a co-accused in the defence deals corruption reference along with former Naval chief Mansoorul Haq, to appear before the court within 30 days or face ex parte proceedings.

The accountability court judge, Mumtaz Hussain Shah, decided to issue notices to Mr Lodhi in this regard through newspaper.

Earlier, the same court had issued non-bailable warrant of arrest against Mr Lodhi, accused of receiving $1,739,282 as kickbacks and commission from suppliers, who were under contract with the government of Pakistan to supply defence material to the Navy.

If the accused fails to appear, the court is likely to initiate proceedings to declare him proclaimed offender after issuing perpetual warrant of arrest.

In case, the prosecution submits application to commence hearing against him under section 31A of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance, he can be awarded three- year rigorous imprisonment.

The Accountability Court No I, while dealing with Mansoorul Haq, had separated the case of Mr Lodhi. The case has now been taken up again after the National Accountability Bureau moved an application to proceed against the accused under section 31A 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 to NAB.

Amir Lodhi, who has absconded, according to the reference, was instrumental in obtaining kickbacks in defence deals on his behalf and on behalf of Admiral Mansoorul Haq. The commission money was transferred through offshore companies, established by Mr Lodhi, and later distributed between the two.

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 Mr Haq was transferred to another offshore company, M/s Molygrove, owned by the former naval chief, the reference said.