Credits granted under influence of Ex-BNP MP Hafiz Ibrahim

Businessman Syed Muhammad Yunus alias Tube Well Yunus, accused in several cases, yesterday confessed to his involvement in Tk 24 core Rupali Bank loan scam.
The loan was granted under the influence of former BNP lawmaker and former director of Rupali Bank Hafiz Ibrahim, he told during interrogation by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) officials at Barisal jail gate yesterday morning.
Yunus also told the interrogators that Hafiz Ibrahim is his relative with whom he has business link. Yunus was arrested in Dhaka on October 25 last year.
Hafiz Ibrahim, elder brother Giasuddin Al Mamun, is also in jail now. Giasuddin Al mamun was a close associate and business partner of senior joint secretary of BNP Tarique Zia, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
AKM Fazlul Huq, assistant director of Barisal ACC and investigation officer of the Rupali Bank loan case and ACC inspector Humaun Kabir interrogated Yunus at the jail gate from 10:30 to 11:30 am yesterday.
Yunus faces several other cases for alleged misappropriation of crores of taka of bank loans in irregular way and taking bills against government development projects, doing little work or nothing, ACC sources said.
A prayer for interrogating Yunus in the bank loan case was submitted by ACC before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court on Sunday. CMM Mainuddin Islam granting the prayer and ordered for interrogation at jail gate.
Rupali Bank sources here said Yunus' wife Jannatun Nesa Nayon had a fixed deposit of Tk three crore with the bank. Jannatun Nesa Nayon is secretary of Barisal city Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JSS), Jatiotabadi Mahila Dal president in ward no. 18 and managing director of newly constructed Ambia Memorial Hospital and Diagnostic Limited (AMHDL). Her husband Yunus is chairman of AMHDL.
Nayon took loans up to Tk 27 crore against the Tk three crore fixed deposit during 2003-06. Yunus was the guarantor.
Bank sources said this was irregular but they had to pay money to Nayon because whenever they refused, they received phone call from Hafiz Ibrahim to grant loan, which was not refunded.
Rupali Bank authorities here lodged two cases in connection with sanction of about Tk 25 core loans to
During interrogation, Yunus confessed to his role as guarantor of the loan and enjoying blessings of former BNP lawmaker Hafiz Ibrahim in getting loans sanctioned. He also confessed to giving 'commission' to some bank officials in this regard.
“So, now they would be officially included in the list of accused and charge sheet would be submitted”, one of the interrogators told this correspondent.
Earlier, an inquiry committee formed by Rupali Bank head office probed the alleged anomaly in sanctioning loans to Nayon after it was reported in the media in February 2006.
The two-member rprobe body comprised assistant general manager Abdul Mannan and senior principal officer Abul Kashem of Rupali Bank'shead office. It submitted its report on March 14, 2006.
After submission of the probe report, the authorities lodged two cases against Nayon and her associates including some bank officials and guarantors. The bank also took actions including dismissal, suspension or transfer of the bank officials involved.
Mentionably, the 100 bed AMHDL private hospital in Barisal city was inaugurated on March 12, 2006 by Barisal City Corporation (BCC) mayor, former lawmaker and Barisal district BNP president Majibur Rahman Sarwar.
ACC officials here said Yusus was wanted for long by a ACC task forces in connection with alleged misappropriation of cores of taka by taking bank loans illegally, drawing bills from public health and roads and highways departments.
Three cases lodged against Yunus by the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) and two other private firms are also under investigation. Eleven engineers of public health and engineering department were suspended in connection with the cases, official sources said.