The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Syed Abdul Hamid, former managing director of Agrani Bank Limited, and 11 other individuals, accusing them of embezzling Tk 189 crore through unauthorised loan disbursements.
ACC Director General Akhter Hossain briefed reporters on Thursday regarding the case.
Among the accused are several former senior officials of Agrani Bank’s Asadganj branch in Chattogram, including former principal officer and general manager Mostaq Ahmed, former deputy general manager Abul Hossain Talukder, former Dhaka Circle-2 general manager Obayed Ullah Al Masud, former general manager Mohammad Shams Ul Islam, former deputy general manager Tajrina Ferdousi, and former general manager Mofazzal Hossain.
The case also names businesspersons connected to the loan scheme — Mizanur Rahman, proprietor of M/s Mizan Traders; Zahir Ahmed, managing director of Jashmir Vegetable Oil Limited; and directors Tipu Sultan and Farhad Monowar.
According to the ACC, loans were approved under the pretext of importing chickpeas and wheat by M/s Mizan Traders. However, the actual beneficiary was Nurjahan Group and its subsidiary, Jashmir Vegetable Oil Ltd. The loan approval was allegedly manipulated using Mizanur Rahman as a front.
The commission revealed that Nurjahan Group opened an anonymous account at the Agrani Bank branch, later managed by Zahir Ahmed.
Through this account, a substantial loan was sanctioned, and subsequently Tk 51 crore of bank funds was misappropriated in a planned manner without ensuring compliance with the conditions of the loan agreement.
The accused face charges under Sections 409 and 109 of the Penal Code, along with violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
