The ACC has summoned 26 officials of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, including its managing director, for questioning in connection with suspected loan forgery involving Ananda Shipyard.
An official of the anti-graft body said they sent letters on Thursday asking the officials to appear before the investigators on Nov 12, 13 and 16.
The official, requesting anonymity, said: “There are allegations that these 26 people were involved in a forgery through which Ananda Shipyard embezzled Tk 13 billion from banks and financial institutions.”
IBBL Managing Director Md Abdul Mannan will be questioned on Nov 13.
Of the 25 other officials summoned, 13 were working at the bank’s head office and 12 at the Karwan Bazar Branch at the time of the incident.
The Karwan Bazar Branch officials include sacked branch head and Executive Vice-President (EVP) Md Nurul Islam, Vice-President (VP) Kazi Moinudddin Khadem, VP Md Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan (now working at Moulvibazar Branch), AVP Md Musleh Uddin (New Market Branch), VP Alimur Rahman (Gulshan Circle Branch), AVP Md Abul Kalam Azad (HOCB), AVP Md Monir Hossain (local office), and AKM Borhan Uddin (Tongi branch).
The head office officials include retired Executive President Md Farid Uddin Ahmed, DO ATM Harun-ar-Rashid Chowdhury, EVP Setaur Rahman, EVP Syed Abdullah Mohammad Saleh, AVP Md Delwar Hossain and SO Zahidul Islam, and incumbent Deputy Managing Directors Md Samshul Haq and Md Nurul Islam (now on deputation in Nigeria), EVP Mohammad Ali, SVP (Engineering Division) Moizuddin and VP Md Hasnain Abid.
An ACC official said there were allegations that Ananda Shipyard embezzled Tk 13 billion from 14 banks and financial institutions through forgery between 2008 and 2013.
He told bdnews24.com: “Ananda Shipyard had no previous experience in ship export and enough collateral to get such a big loan. It would not be possible for Ananda Shipyard to take the money away without connivance of some dishonest bank officials.”
ACC initiated an enquiry into the suspected fraud in April this year.
The other banks and financial institutions include AB Bank, Mercantile Bank, One Bank, Janata Bank, NCC Bank, Bangladesh Development Bank, Phoenix Finance and Investment, Fareast Finance and Investment, IDLC Finance, National Housing Finance and Investment, Hajj Finance Company and Premier Leasing and Finance.
Source: Bd news24
