The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a formal investigation into former president Abdul Hamid over allegations that state funds were misused during a development and beautification project in Dhaka’s Nikunja-1 area, causing losses estimated at Tk 240 million. The inquiry also includes claims that the former head of state accumulated wealth beyond known and lawful sources of income.
The development was confirmed on Sunday, 7 December, by ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain while speaking to journalists. He stressed that the commission’s decision to open an investigation was based solely on the substance of the allegations and not on the status, office or public standing of the individual concerned. “The ACC does not differentiate on the basis of identity,” he said, adding that any complaint supported by prima facie evidence is examined under the same legal framework.
Abdul Hamid, who served two consecutive terms as president, currently resides in a three-storey duplex house located on plot number 6, Lake Drive Road, in the upscale Nikunja residential area of the capital. He moved into the property with his family in April 2023, shortly after completing his tenure in office. The area in question underwent extensive infrastructure and aesthetic upgrades around that period, which are now at the centre of the ACC’s probe.
According to the allegations placed before the commission, a series of construction and beautification works were carried out along the canal and surrounding roads of Nikunja-1. These included the construction of walkways on both sides of the road, decorative decks, hanging bridges and the installation of high-end lamp posts. It is alleged that these projects, executed under the guise of urban beautification, resulted in financial losses to the state running into several crores of taka, with the total estimated at approximately Tk 240 million.
Investigators are also examining claims that the expenditure was disproportionate to the actual public benefit derived from the works, raising questions about procurement processes, cost justification and oversight. In parallel, the ACC is assessing allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, which may involve scrutiny of assets, income declarations and financial transactions linked to the former president and related parties.
Summary of Allegations Under Investigation
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Person under investigation | Former president Abdul Hamid |
| Location | Nikunja-1, Lake Drive Road, Dhaka |
| Alleged state loss | Approximately Tk 240 million |
| Nature of works | Walkways, decorative decks, hanging bridges, lamp posts |
| Additional claims | Accumulation of illegal wealth |
| Investigating authority | Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) |
ACC officials have indicated that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and that conclusions will be drawn only after a thorough review of documents, contracts and financial records. Legal experts note that such probes can take considerable time, particularly when they involve large-scale public works and senior former officials.
The case has drawn public attention as part of a broader push by the ACC to demonstrate institutional independence and accountability, particularly in matters involving high-profile figures. While no formal charges have yet been filed, the opening of the investigation marks a significant step and underscores the commission’s stated commitment to examining alleged misuse of public funds, regardless of the individual involved.
Authorities have emphasised that all findings will be determined through due process, and that the former president, like any citizen, is entitled to respond to the allegations as the investigation progresses.