ACC sues ex-PM's secretary Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed four separate cases against Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku, a former personal assistant to ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and 10 other individuals including his wife and children.

The cases were filed on Sunday at the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1.

ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam said that these cases were filed based on allegations that Liku amassed vast amounts of illicit wealth through corruption and bribery while serving as Hasina's assistant.

The first case names Liku, his wife Rahima Akter, his brother Gazi Mustafizur Rahman Dipu, and several others, including Sheikh Mohammad Ikram, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammad Liakat Hossain Sabuj, Kalu Sheikh, Hamim Sheikh, Mintu Rahman, and Arafat Hossain.

The case was filed by ACC’s Deputy Director Mohammad Ahsanul Kabir Palash.

The case details say that Liku and the other accused were involved in suspicious transactions amounting to Tk144.59 crore across 33 bank accounts in Gopalganj, linked to their names and interests.

The investigation also suggests violations of the Money Laundering Prevention Act and Penal Code related to the illegal transformation, transfer, and concealment of assets obtained through corruption and bribery.

A second case was filed solely against Liku.

In this case, the complainant, ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Ahsanul Kabir Palash, alleges that while serving as Hasina’s personal assistant, Liku abused his power to acquire assets worth Tk55.32 crore, beyond his known sources of income, which constitutes a criminal offence under ACC and anti-corruption laws.

In the third case, Rahima Akter is the main accused, with Liku listed as the second defendant.

The case was filed by ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Rakibul Hayat, who alleges that the couple, in collusion, unlawfully acquired assets worth Tk23.25 crore, and retained these properties, which were obtained through corrupt means, as part of a scheme to legitimize the illegal wealth.

The fourth case names Liku as the second defendant and his son, Sheikh Ikram, as the key accused.

The case was filed by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Mohammad Manjurul Islam Mintu.

According to the charges, the accused are involved in the illegal acquisition of assets worth Tk14.75 crore, which they held in their possession and attempted to legitimize by disguising their illicit origins.