The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities, bribery and money laundering involving around Tk13,000 crore against Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, former interim government adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The allegations include trading in appointments, transfers, and promotions; taking commissions from tenders; inflating development project costs; and siphoning off funds.
He allegedly laundered Tk4,500 crore to Dubai, Tk3,000 crore to Singapore, Tk2,000 crore to Australia and Tk1,500 crore to Switzerland to purchase villas and invest in businesses there.
ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Md Tanzir Ahmed disclosed the information at the commission's regular media briefing today (13 September).
According to the complaint, the former adviser allegedly took around Tk60 crore in connection with appointing an administrator to Dhaka North City Corporation. It also alleges that Tk2-10 crore was exchanged for the appointment of each of 36 deputy commissioners across the country.
The complaint further alleges that he took 10%-30% commissions from development project tenders while serving at the Local Government Division. It also accused him of involvement in tender-related irregularities at Dhaka South City Corporation, Narayanganj City Corporation and Cumilla City Corporation.
It alleged that project costs for rural infrastructure and bridge construction under the local government ministry were inflated to embezzle thousands of crores.
The complaint also raised questions over alleged abnormal cost increases in the third phase of Dhaka Wasa's Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project and claimed that Tk1,200 crore was added to the cost of the Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium project for illicit gains.
Allegations of bribery in recruitment, transfers and promotions at the youth and sports ministry were also brought against him. The complaint alleged that Tk10 crore was taken as a bribe for appointing Abdus Salam as managing director of Dhaka Wasa.
It further accused him of taking Tk52 crore for appointing former LGED chief engineer Md Abdur Rashid Khan and Tk65 crore for appointing Abdul Latif Khan as chief executive officer of Gazipur City Corporation.
The complaint also alleged that Asif Mahmud used government funds for helicopter travel and maintained a luxurious lifestyle, including stays at five-star hotels, a luxury apartment and expensive vehicles.
It also alleged that his father Billal Hossain and former APS Moazzem Hossain controlled contractor syndicates and collected money by influencing local administration officials.
The complaint also accused his former personal officer Mahfuzul Alam Bhuiyan of lobbying for bribe transactions and abusing his power.
The ACC said the inquiry will verify the allegations, the roles of those involved and the sources and movement of the alleged funds. No findings have yet been established against Asif Mahmud.
'Prepared for further allegations'Reacting to the ACC's inquiry, the National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson said the government could use various means if it decided to target someone.
"If the government decides to arrest someone, there are many ways to do that. We have seen this being done against the BNP as well," he said at a press conference.
He questioned the ACC's priorities, saying, "The ACC was formed five months later, but they have no concern about the corruption during the Awami League period. I am the first political figure against whom the ACC had initiated such a process."
"However, I have already made my position clear," he added.
Asif Mahmud also alleged that an earlier complaint against him related to promotions during the BNP period had failed to gain traction.
"When they saw that it did not work, now they are bringing another one. Tomorrow they will bring another one. Let them keep doing it. We are prepared for this," he said.
He also questioned the independence of the ACC, saying, "When we saw that the ACC had not been reformed and the ordinance was repealed, we understood what the ACC would be used for. It was used for that reason in the past, and it will be used for the same reason in the future."
However, Asif Mahmud said he was yet to learn the details of the latest allegations against him.
"Specifically, I have not yet learned the details of what happened today," he said.
FP/R
