Ex-ambassador Majeda sued for graft

The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday filed two cases against former Bangladesh ambassador to the Philippines Majeda Rafiqun Nessa for embezzling money and irregularities in recruitment process.
ACC Assistant Director Mahbub Alam filed the cases with Shahbagh Police Station.
According to the ACC, Majeda was appointed ambassador on September 22, 2010 but was called back on July 15 this year as there were accusations of corruption, irregularities, nepotism and mismanagement against her.
The case statements say Majeda embezzled over Tk 7.40 lakh during that period.
Of the amount, she misappropriated Tk 1.91 lakh by illegally realising additional visa fee, Tk 50,000 for arranging a function on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 92nd birth anniversary and over Tk 5 lakh for paying salaries of cleaners and gardeners.
Another case says Tk 1.3 lakh more was drawn by two staff she had appointed through irregularities.
Majeda, by misusing power, appointed her husband Mohammad Abdul Mannan Miah as secretary (consular), her daughter Naumi Mannan local-based secretary and sister Maksuda Shafiun Nesa as secretary (personal) between September 2010 and July 2012.
She appointed the trio without consent from the foreign ministry, said the case. Naumi, however, did not draw her salary.
The case statement says that the government incurred loss of Tk 1,30,600 because of the appointments. Majeda is yet to refund the amount to the government exchequer.
However, upon order of the government, Majeda later cancelled the appointments.