ACC Chairman and Commissioners Resign

The chairman and two commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), appointed during the interim government period, have resigned.

Dr. M.A. Momen (Chairman) and the other two commissioners formally submitted their resignations on Tuesday (3 March) after returning from the Cabinet Division in the afternoon.

Earlier in the day, they arrived at the office on time and completed signing important official files, including seniority-related matters for officers.

When asked about the resignation, ACC Chairman Dr. M.A. Momen told the media: “We are going to the Cabinet Division to discuss the matter. We will see what happens after the talks. If a decision is needed, we will return to the commission and submit our resignations. I cannot say more at this moment.”

Regarding the legal process of resignation, he explained that according to the rules, resignation must be addressed to the President and submitted one month in advance. However, given the current situation, what ultimately happens remains to be seen.

It is worth noting that after the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus appointed senior secretary Dr. M.A. Momen as ACC chairman on 12 December on a contractual basis. Additionally, on 10 December, retired District Judge Mia Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi (Investigation) and Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid (Enquiry) were appointed as commissioners. They joined their respective posts on 11 and 15 December.

On 21 November 2004, the then BNP-Jamaat government abolished the Anti-Corruption Bureau and established the independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). At that time, Justice Sultan was appointed chairman, along with former DU Vice-Chancellor Moniruzzaman Mia and auditor Moniruddin as commissioners.

Later, in 2007, the caretaker government removed the previous commission and appointed former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury as chairman, along with District Judge Habibur Rahman and Audit Department’s Manzoor Mannan as commissioners.

After the Awami League’s massive victory in the 2008 national election, the caretaker government’s appointed commission was dissolved. However, the then-chairman Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury was given three months to resign.

Since 2009 until the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the government continued appointing individuals of its choice as chairman and commissioners of the ACC.