The former MD gave sensational information about the seizure of Islami Bank

Abdul Mannan, the former MD of the bank, gave sensational information about the takeover of Islami Bank. He said these things in a webinar titled Evacuation of Encroachment in Banking Sector organized by Forum for Bangladesh Studies on Friday (August 30).

Abdul Mannan said, in the early morning of January 5, 2017, some officers of the Directorate General of Defense Intelligence (DGFI) took me to the DGFI office in Kachukshet of the capital. Similarly, the chairman and vice chairman of the bank were removed from their homes. After that S Alam Group took over the bank by forcing us to sign a resignation letter.

The former MD said that the resignation letter written on an unused pad of Islami Bank was forcibly signed. But that pad has never been used by Islami Bank since its establishment in 1983 till the current year 2024. My resignation letter was taken on such a pad.

He also said that on that day, Bangladesh Bank sirs worked till late night. They worked to quickly complete the change of ownership of the bank on the same day. How can these be in the banking sector of a country? The banking sector is the lifeblood of a country's economy.

Abdul Mannan said, Bangladesh Bank changed many of their decisions over the next few years on their phone (S Alam Group). Action needs to be taken against these, so that no one dares to do this in the future.

He said, “Even though some journalists from the country contacted me while I was abroad, I did not speak.” Because I didn't feel safe. I am in fear. I did not think that I will be able to breathe again when I come to Bangladesh.

The former MD of Islami Bank also said, “I now feel that I have the freedom to speak.” But it will take time to overcome that fear. I feel like I need more time to breathe in the free air.

Bangladesh /FM