Court miffed over Majeed’s absence in corruption hearing

Lawyer says client under arrest; IO expresses ignorance of whereabouts

ISLAMABAD: Taking exception against the non-production of Omni Group’s Abdul Ghani Majeed in the Pink Residency corruption case that is connected with the fake accounts scam, an accountability court on Wednesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure his attendance in Thursday’s (today) hearing.

The court also issued non-bailable arrest warrant against Majeed’s spouse, Manahil, in the Thatta Water Supply reference

Justce Arshad Malik of the accountability court heard the case in which 15 accused, including Muhammad Shabbir, Aftab Memon and Abdul Jabbar Memon, were presented in court.

This isn’t the first time when authorities have failed to produce Abdul Ghani Majeed in the accountability court in Islamabad, with the court judge issuing an ultimatum to “to produce the accused under any circumstances”.

Majeed’s lawyer argued that his client was picked up by NAB officials from the hospital and that the anti-graft body should inform the court as to why he was not presented.

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When the judge inquired the same from the investigation officer (IO), the IO informed him that it was not in his knowledge whether the bureau’s Karachi office had arrested him or not.

Upon this, Majeed’s lawyer said that if his client wasn’t in NAB custody, then his name should be placed among the missing persons.

The hearing of the reference was postponed till the 4th of July.

Judge Arshad Malik also heard the Thatta Water Supply reference and issued non-bailable arrest warrant for Minahil Majeed who has been continuously absent from proceedings.

The IO submitted a report regarding Manahil Majeed, stating that she and said that Minahil is out of the country.

Her lawyer informed the court that he will try to make Minahil appear in court on the next hearing.

Judge Arshad Malik remarked that the court does not hope for good news on his part while ordering her arrest so that she could be presented in the court.