The Voice News:Irregularities in recruitment and embezzlement of Tk 150 crore at ‘Nagad’ have sparked widespread controversy.
Following allegations of corruption and irregular recruitment in Bangladesh’s mobile financial service Nagad, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) summoned a special assistant’s personal officer and his wife, bringing the issue to the forefront of public discussion.
The accused official, Atik Morshed, visited the ACC and spoke with relevant officials. However, it remains unclear whether he was formally interrogated.
Earlier on Sunday, the ACC confirmed that they found initial evidence of irregularities in Nagad’s recruitment process. Mr. Morshed and his wife were summoned to the ACC with documents regarding the alleged embezzlement of Tk 150 crore.
Previously, personal officials of two current interim government advisors—Asif Mahmud and Nurjahan Begum—were relieved of duty following corruption allegations.
This has raised an important question: when personal officials are accused of major corruption, can the advisors they report to evade responsibility?
Should Advisors Bear Responsibility?
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said that no APS (Assistant Private Secretary) or personal officer can be held accountable for corruption without implicating the advisor or minister they work for. He believes that in the interest of a fair investigation, such advisors should step aside from their responsibilities.
ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam said that during an investigation, if anyone else is found to be involved—regardless of their position—they are brought under scrutiny.
This is not the first time personal officers’ corruption has drawn national attention. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina once publicly disclosed that her own personal officer had amassed Tk 400 crore through corruption before fleeing to the United States. However, legal action in such cases has historically been rare.
Background of Current Allegations
On April 27, ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain announced that investigations were underway against Asif Mahmud’s APS, Md. Moazzem Hossain, and Nurjahan Begum’s personal officer, Tuhin Farabi.
On April 22, both officials were officially removed from their positions. Subsequently, the court imposed a travel ban on Moazzem Hossain and blocked his national ID card at the ACC’s request.
The ACC’s court application against Hossain detailed allegations including abuse of power, lobbying, extortion, tender manipulation, and illegal wealth accumulation totaling hundreds of crores.
In response to the backlash, advisor Asif Mahmud stated on his verified Facebook page that he himself had requested the ACC to investigate the matter and instructed all relevant ministries to cooperate.
Another controversy involved giving railway posts and privileges to three student activists from an anti-discrimination movement. Allegations against them included misuse of benefits and even black-market ticket sales.
Most recently, the personal officer of Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, Atik Morshed, was accused of embezzling Tk 150 crore from Nagad. His wife allegedly received a job there with a monthly salary of Tk 134,000.
Mr. Morshed denied the allegations on social media, claiming his wife was hired on merit. However, the ACC has stated that preliminary evidence supports the allegations.
Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb also admitted in a Facebook post that there was a conflict of interest and nepotism involved, saying, “I accept without objection that what happened was wrong. I have severely reprimanded him and initiated an investigation regarding his wife’s employment.”
Mr. Morshed previously worked with former Information Advisor Nahid Islam, which has prompted political parties to argue that Mr. Islam cannot escape responsibility either. However, Tayyeb claims that he and Nahid Islam were unfairly implicated.
Can Advisors Escape Accountability?
Debate continues over whether removing implicated officials from their posts or calling for ACC investigations absolves the related advisors or special assistants of responsibility.
Experts argue that since these positions are often filled based on personal preference, the appointing ministers or advisors should be held accountable for their conduct.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman from TIB emphasized that appointing friends, associates, or family members to such influential positions has normalized abuse of power and corruption. He called for a cultural shift in accountability, especially in the context of the “new Bangladesh” envisioned under the interim government.
“This failure to meet public expectations is unfortunate,” he added.
ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam reiterated that the commission pursues any individual implicated by specific complaints, regardless of their rank or influence.