Ex-NBR chief Najibur Rahman's assets seized, accounts frozen

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of a luxury apartment and the freezing of 12 financial accounts belonging to former National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Najibur Rahman, amid an ongoing corruption investigation.

On Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The court directed the seizure of a 3,276-square-foot apartment in Dhaka’s Ramna area, valued at nearly Tk 36.5 million, as well as the freezing of seven bank accounts and five beneficiary owner (BO) accounts linked to Najibur Rahman.

According to the ACC’s petition, Deputy Director Khairul Haque requested the order as part of a preliminary inquiry into allegations of bribery, corruption and illicit wealth accumulation through transfer-related dealings. 

The investigation reportedly uncovered multiple immovable and movable assets in the names of Najibur Rahman and his family members, with no documented legal sources.

The ACC also stated it had credible intelligence suggesting Rahman and his family were attempting to sell or transfer the assets, potentially laundering the proceeds abroad through informal channels such as hundi. The court order was deemed necessary to prevent asset dissipation and protect state interests.

Najibur Rahman was previously arrested on October 7 last year from the Ramna area and has remained in custody since. 

MAL/NSA