Businesman Moosa Bin Shamsher has denied that he laundered money out of Bangladesh.
While he has not denied that he has $7bn deposited in foreign banks, he claimed that he earned the money beyond the borders of the country hence he could possibly have siphoned it out of the country.
Again, he re-iterated that he intends to finance the $3bn needed to finance the Padma bridge, adding the he also may do “something” for the countries government employees, teachers, and the elderly.
A smug “prince” Moosa said: “Those huge amount of money ($7bn) was not earned living in this country. That was earned from the abroad. So it is not possible to laundered that amount from this country.
“And the amount I earned throughout my life, no one can be able to earn that amount in the next 50 years. Every story has a history. After the ACC completes it's inquiry after scrutinizing the history, the truth will come out that I am not the money launderer.”
Moosa was speaking to reporters after being quizzed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) at its Segunbagicha office in the capital on Thursday.
The controversial businessman appeared before the commission 2 hours before the scheduled time; he was escorted by no less than 25 bodyguards.
An official of the anti graft body told the Dhaka Tribune that during the interrogation the inquiry officer Shibli grilled him to know about the source of his wealth and the $7bn (Tk51000cr) which amount is been freezed in Swiss bank in Switzerland about five years ago.
While briefing the media, Musa said: “No money I deposited in Swiss bank.”
Emerging from the ACC's interrogation Moosa told the journalists that all the allegations raised against him is 'baseless'.
“Being respectful to the law I came here to face ACC. After the investigation will end you will be able to know all your doubt.” Moosa told.
The anti- graft body took the decision to run its inquiry into the allegation against Moosa on November 3 after following a cover feature published in Business Asia, an international business magazine on June this year.
According to the report, Moosa has deposited $7 billion in a Swiss bank.
Moosa, who is also chairman of Datco, a manpower recruiting agency in Bangladesh, was asked to appear before the commission on December 18.
Terming the newspaper reports also fabricated after which the ACC started its inquiry against him Moosa told: “Newspaper reports cannot be the main source of investigation. I have huge contribution to this country's manpower export. Ask your guardian, you will become clear about my contribution. As the commission has started its inquiry against me I will help them providing all related documents time to time if they will ask me to submit.”
Requesting anonymity, an officer of the commission said: "The anti-graft body took the decision to run an inquiry into the allegation against Moosa following a cover feature published in Business Asia, an international business magazine, in June."
Terming Moosa a business tycoon the report also stated that he always prefers to lead a royal life and in any special occasion he uses ornaments and dresses worth $7 million.
Regarding the report, ACC Commissioner M Sahabuddin Chuppu said: “As the report reveals that he leads a royal life and uses many valuable products which seems to the commission unusual. So the commission has taken decision to quiz him.”
Moosa was born in Faridpur October 15, 1950. He started his business career as a manpower exporter, but international media usually portrays him as an arms dealer.
He had drawn huge media attention after offering the Labour Party and Tony Blair 5 million pounds as campaign donation during 1997 general elections of the United Kingdom.