BB Governor’s Comment on Seeking Settlement With Financial Rogues Surprises and Shocks All Patriotic Citizens

 

Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansur told the Financial Times (FT) on 13 June 2025 that they were considering pursuing financial settlements with wealthy individuals accused of moving funds abroad during the tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, also heading Bangladesh's asset recovery efforts, told the UK-based paper in an interview that settlements were one of the options the government could consider, particularly in cases deemed less serious.

In the interview in Dhaka ahead of a visit with other government leaders and officials to the United Kingdom that took place a few days ago, Dr. Ahsan H Mansur said Bangladesh Bank's approach would depend on the nature of the alleged activities of those involved.

"If the nature of their crime is more on the lighter side of violations...we would go for a civil suit, and a financial settlement would be part of that process," he noted, without specifying which individuals or families might be targeted.

The asset recovery campaign, launched by the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has already opened 11 high-priority investigations into families formerly connected to political power-including that of Sheikh Hasina. The government alleges that tens of billions of dollars were siphoned out of the country during Hasina's 15-year rule.

Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, a former IMF official, revealed that his team is aiming to raise up to $100 million to fund international litigation focused on recovering funds allegedly embezzled through fraudulent loans and infrastructure skimming.

Litigation funding firms, which finance legal cases in exchange for a share of the recovered assets, have shown strong interest.

Omni Bridgeway, a global litigation funder based in Sydney, confirmed to Financial Times that its executives held multiple meetings in Dhaka earlier this year with Mansur and officials from over 16 banks.

"We have expressed a particular interest in supporting the banking sector by financing and managing the recovery of non-performing loans, especially those involving the illicit transfer of funds abroad," Wieger Wielinga, Omni Bridgeway's managing director of enforcement, told FT.

During his ongoing visit to the UK, Yunus urged British authorities to offer "more enthusiastic support" in tracing and repatriating allegedly stolen Bangladeshi funds. "This is stolen money," Yunus said, adding that the UK has both a legal and moral obligation to assist.

An economic white paper commissioned by the interim government and published in December estimates that around $234 billion was funneled out of the country during Hasina's administration.

The Awami League, which was formally banned by the Yunus government last month, has accused the current regime of using the anti-corruption campaign to carry out political vendettas.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced in the earlier part of June 2025 that a national election to replace the interim administration is expected earlier in June 2025 that elections would be held in April 2026. However, after a meeting with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that he and his cabinet colleagues would try to hold elections in February 2026.

The July Revolution was conducted to fight corruption and socioeconomic injustice. Talking about reaching a deal with bank plunderers and the racketeers who crippled banks in Bangladesh for last 15 years no way matches the hope and vision with which the July Mass Upsurge was carried out and thousands of martyrs gave away their lives.

People from all walks of life offered their heartfelt support to the interim government when it was formed on 8 August 2024. The interim government took oath to serve the nation with utmost dedication and patriotism. Sitting with negotiation with bank robbers would be a kind of betrayal with the blood of martyrs who brought about the July Revolution. 


Mahbubul Islam is a lawyer
and former Secretary of 
World Peace Council.