Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus believes the embezzlement and money laundering case filed against him was orchestrated to demean his reputation.
Following an hour-long interrogation at the ACC head office on Thursday (5 October) morning, the Nobel laureate when asked by journalists whether he was apprehensive about the case, responded stating, "I haven't committed any crime, and I have nothing to worry about."
Regarding the ACC investigation, as journalists sought details from Dr Yunus, he said, "I was summoned, so I came. As the matter involves legal intricacies, my lawyer will provide the details."
Later, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun informed reporters that during the ACC interrogation, Dr Yunus categorically rejected the allegations, asserting that they lack a factual foundation.
He noted, "During the questioning, Dr Yunus said the highlighted amount of Tk25 crore, subject to embezzlement claims, was disbursed to workers by Grameen Telecom in accordance with contractual agreements."
While talking to media, he clarified, "I entered the ACC office today as Dr Yunus's legal counsel. I expounded on our positions in adherence to legal provisions.
"The ACC team there claimed that the settlement agreement was fraudulent. I countered, stating that it cannot be labelled as fake because when there is a mutually agreed-upon contract between two parties, and it has received approval from the High Court, it attains legal legitimacy."
Elaborating on the contractual obligations, he explained, "According to the terms of the contract, the account was to be opened with the workers within seven days, and we adhered to this timeline. While permissions were indeed obtained over the phone due to logistical constraints, a Zoom meeting later ensured consensus."
Responding to ACC's concerns about the timing of permissions, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun clarified, "If there was any delay, it was a result of a clear misunderstanding."
Dr Yunus, through his lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun, also voiced suspicions that a deliberate attempt by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was made to discredit him.
Earlier, the Grameen Telecom chairman reached ACC premises around 9.37am on Thursday (5 October) morning, along with his entourage including his lawyer Barrister Khawaja Tanveer Ahmed and Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun. He went to ACC head office in response to a summon notice issued on 27 September.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) quizzed Dr Mohammad Yunus over his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of more than Tk25 crore from the company's Workers Profit Participation Fund (WPPF).
The interrogation session, lasting approximately an hour, was conducted by ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan, the investigating officer of the case against Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others.
Speaking to The Business Standard before the quizzing started, Dr Yunus' lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun underscored his client's unwavering commitment to legal compliance, stating, "Dr Yunus respects the law. He returned from America to respond to the summons after receiving notice from ACC."
The ACC summoned Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus along with a few others on 5 October for their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of more than Tk25 crore from the company's Workers Profit Participation Fund (WPPF).
Apart from Grameen Telecom Chairman Dr Muhammad Yunus, the other defendants in the case are Managing Director Md Nazmul Islam, Director and former Managing Director Md Ashraful Hasan, Director Parveen Mahmud, Nazneen Sultana, Md Shahjahan, Noorjahan Begum and Director SM Hajjatul Islam Latifi.
Earlier, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah told the media that the investigating officer felt it was necessary to summon Dr Yunus and the others accused.
"It is up to him [Yunus] to come or not. It is not the commission's job to interrogate anyone."
The commission decides whether to file a case or not. Now, the investigating officer would call whomever he deems necessary, he added.
Earlier on 30 May, the ACC filed a case against Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others for their alleged involvement in misappropriating the money.
According to the ACC, the case was filed after a preliminary investigation against the accused found "the allegations of embezzlement and money laundering was true." The case has been registered under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
On 23 July 2022, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) sent a formal letter to ACC to investigate the allegations of embezzlement of workers' money against Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus.
According to the complaint, most of Grameen Telecom's transactions since 1996 have been suspicious. The organisation also requested an investigation into the money laundering complaints of workers given to the ILO.
The letter also said around Tk2,977 crore suspicious transactions have been made in the subsidiaries of Grameen Telecom so far, and the whole matter needs detailed investigation.
It further says the workers were supposed to be given certain shares, which Dr Yunus deprived them of.
