Dr Abdul Momen, Chairman of the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), along with all three commissioners, formally resigned on Tuesday, 3 March. The trio submitted their resignation letters at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat during the morning, marking a full turnover at the top echelons of the anti-corruption body.
The other two commissioners who stepped down were Mr. Minya Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Mr. Hafiz Ahsan Farid. The three officials arrived at the Cabinet Division’s Building No. 1 at precisely 2:36 pm and completed the submission of their resignations within ten minutes. This unprecedented move opens the door for a fresh leadership at the ACC.
Dr Abdul Momen has had a long and distinguished career in public service. In 2013, during the tenure of the then Awami League government, he was compulsorily retired while serving as a Joint Secretary. Following the political changes on 5 August 2024, after the student-led public uprising, he was appointed on a contractual basis as Secretary of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Later, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Secretary before taking charge as ACC Chairman.
Key Appointments of ACC Chairman and Commissioners
| Name | Position & Responsibility | Appointment Period |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Abdul Momen | Joint Secretary (2013) | Compulsory retirement |
| Dr Abdul Momen | Secretary, Public Security Division (Contractual) | 5 August 2024 |
| Dr Abdul Momen | ACC Chairman | 10 December 2024 |
| Minya Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi | ACC Commissioner | 10 December 2024 |
| Hafiz Ahsan Farid | ACC Commissioner | 10 December 2024 |
Prior to the 2024 parliamentary elections, Dr Momen’s outspoken anti-corruption stance had sparked significant public and political discussion. He repeatedly urged voters not to support candidates involved in corrupt practices, remarks that were widely noted for their potential influence on the electoral process.
Resignations of officials from the ACC and similar governmental or transparency-focused bodies typically pave the way for the appointment of new leadership. The administration now faces the task of promptly appointing a new chairman and commissioners to ensure continuity in the commission’s anti-corruption initiatives.
Political analysts and governance experts have emphasised that timely and transparent appointments are critical to maintaining the commission’s credibility. The current resignations create a temporary vacuum in leadership, which, if left unaddressed, could impede the commission’s ongoing investigations and anti-corruption measures.
The recent developments have reignited debates within Bangladesh over anti-corruption policies, institutional transparency, and the political dimensions of leadership at watchdog organisations. Observers suggest that the ACC’s next leadership appointments will be closely scrutinised for their ability to restore confidence and ensure an effective continuation of its mandate.