7 More Witnesses Testify in ACC Case Against Former Minister Jabed, 35 Others

Seven more witnesses testified on Tuesday in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against 36 people, including former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed, over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 25 crore from United Commercial Bank (UCBL) and laundering the money abroad through hundi.

With the latest testimonies, statements from 27 witnesses have now been recorded in the case.

The testimonies were taken before Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Mizanur Rahman on June 23.

Earlier, on January 5, ACC Deputy Director Md. Mashiur Rahman, the investigation officer, submitted the charge sheet to the Chattogram Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court.

Among the accused are former minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed, his wife and former UCBL chairman Rukmila Zaman, and several former directors and officials of the bank. Employees and officials linked to Jabed's family-owned Aramit Group have also been named in the case.

ACC Public Prosecutor Mukarram Hossain said seven witnesses appeared before the court on Tuesday. Their testimonies and cross-examinations were completed, bringing the total number of witness testimonies in the case to 27.

The court has set July 13 for the next hearing and witness testimony.

According to the charge sheet, Aramit Group protocol officer Farman Ullah Chowdhury allegedly secured a Tk 25 crore loan from UCBL by posing as the owner of a business entity named Vision Trading. Investigators allege that the money was later withdrawn through employees of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed and transferred abroad through hundi to purchase property.

The ACC alleges that the embezzlement took place between October 13, 2019, and February 13, 2020.

The charge sheet states that the accused may have committed offences under multiple sections of the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

On July 24, 2025, the ACC filed the case against 31 people, including Jabed and his wife. During the investigation, two accused were excluded from proceedings after their deaths. Investigators later identified seven additional suspects, bringing the total number of accused to 36.

The charge sheet lists 92 witnesses in support of the prosecution case.