Accountability court allows transit remand in FB scam case

Accused is allegedly involved in fake schemes on FB, OLX and in corruption of over Rs21m

KARACHI: An accountability court handed over accused Shamshad Ali Baladi to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday for four-day transit remand. Baladi was sought in an inquiry regarding scamming on OLX, Facebook and other social media platforms.

NAB officials produced the accused before the administrative judge of accountability courts. NAB’s investigation officer (IO) maintained that the NAB chairperson had issued the arrest warrant for the accused. The investigation against the accused is underway in Islamabad and transit remand is required to shift the accused to Islamabad, he said.

Around 104 citizens have filed complaints against the accused. Baladi is accused of being involved in fake schemes on Facebook and OLX, and of committing corruption worth more than Rs21 million.

The court accepted the request for four-day transit remand of accused.

Corruption reference

An accountability court directed Mansoor Rajput’s counsel on Friday to continue cross-examination of the witnesses on the next hearing  in corruption reference of Rs5.76 billion in Sindh Information department.

Jail officials presented former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and others before the court.

NAB witness Mir Alam Jokhio appeared before the court. The counsel for accused Rajput cross-examined the witness on his statement.

The court adjourned the hearing till March 25 while directing the accused’s counsel to continue cross-examination on the next hearing.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Memon said he resigned from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) due to personal reasons. I’m still a member of other committees, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2019.