6 more testify against ex-land minister, 35 others in 25cr taka graft case

A Chattogram court on Monday recorded the statements of six more witnesses in the case filed against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed and 35 others over the alleged misappropriation and illicit transfer of 25 crore taka.

The witnesses gave their statements before Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Mizanur Rahman’s court. Defence lawyers later cross-examined them in accordance with legal procedures.

Talking to BSS, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Advocate Mokarram Hossain said the court fixed September 27 for the next hearing on the testimony of witnesses.

With the statements of the six witnesses recorded today, the total number of witnesses who have testified in the case has risen to 51.

The case concerns allegations of financial crimes allegedly committed through an entity named Vision Trading.

According to the case details, the accused allegedly circumvented United Commercial Bank (UCB) procedures to obtain a credit facility of 25 crore taka between October 2019 and February 2020.

The money was later allegedly transferred abroad illegally through hundi, an informal money transfer system.

On March 11 this year, the court formally framed charges against all 36 accused, including the former minister.

The prosecution has listed 92 witnesses to testify during the trial.