Court freezes 22 bank accounts of journo Nayeem Nizam, family

A Dhaka court has ordered to freeze 22 bank accounts belonging to former Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam, his wife Farida Yasmin and their children over allegations of illegal wealth accumulation and money laundering.

Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez passed the order on Sunday following a petition filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to ACC, the frozen accounts hold a total of Tk 4.21 crore. The application seeking the freeze was submitted by ACC Assistant Director Md. Rakibul Hayat.

The petition states that allegations of acquiring illegal assets and laundering money abroad against Nizam and his wife, a former reserved-seat lawmaker, are currently under investigation.

During the inquiry, ACC reportedly received information suggesting that Nizam, his wife and their children were attempting to transfer or dispose of movable assets held in their names or in the names of related entities.

The commission argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to ensure a proper investigation and prevent the assets from being moved. 

It further stated that without such a measure, the assets might not be recoverable in favour of the state if the court orders confiscation following the trial.

MAL/SH