The Anti-Corruption Commission questioned seven people, including Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday in a case filed over the alleged misappropriation of Tk25.22 crore from the company’s Workers Profit Participation Fund.
“Grameen Telecom employees filed a complaint with the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments,” said Mahbub Hossain, secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission. “They looked into the allegations and forwarded some of them to the ACC for further investigation. The ACC opened a case and is conducting an investigation into them. They (the seven) were questioned by the commission as part of the inquiry.”
The ACC secretary made the statements when asked about summoning and questioning Dr Yunus in the money laundering and embezzlement case.
In response to a question about the impact of Dr Yunus’ international profile on the ACC’s investigation, Mahbub said: “The ACC does not consider an individual’s personal reputation during its investigations. There is no possibility of influence."
Responding to another question on whether Dr Yunus will be barred from travelling overseas, the ACC secretary said: “If the investigating officer feels that the person may conceal the allegations against him/her or destroy evidence or influence witnesses, they may arrest him/her for the purpose of investigation or take any kind of prohibiting action as directed by the relevant court.”
Earlier in the day, Dr Muhammad Yunus appeared before the ACC in response to a summons for questioning in the case.
After coming out of the ACC offices, Dr Yunus defended himself saying: “I have committed no crime, and I am not afraid.”
His lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun said his client was not involved in any irregularities involving Grameen Telecom’s Workers Profit Participation Fund.
He said the former employees and workers of Grameen Telecom were paid dividends in line with the rule.
The lawyer said Dr Yunus went to the ACC to help them in the investigation despite him having a meeting at the United Nations as he “respects the law.”