Chittagong, Oct 7 (bdnews24.com) – Former industries secretary Shoeb Ahmed has given statements in the sensational 10-trucks arms haul case.
Shoeb gave the 20-page written statement to metropolitan magistrate Mahbubur Raman from 3pm to 7:30pm on Thursday, assistant police commissioner (prosecution) Nirmalendu Biswas Chakravarty told bdnews24.com.
The official was on duty when the police seized 10 truckloads of weapons and ammunition from the CUFL jetty in Chittagong on the night of April 1, 2004. The police filed two cases – one under arms law and the other for smuggling.
Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited is a state-owned enterprise under the industries ministry.
Court officials said Shoeb in his statement narrated involvement of the then minister Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami and additional secretary Nurul Amin. "I found the role of minister and the additional secretary mysterious after the arms were seized."
When the minister was informed, Shoeb, quoting Nizami, said, "The government high-ups know about it and that the home ministry is looking into it. We have nothing to do."
But Shoeb said he did not know how the additional secretary could stay at the CUFL rest-house that night.
Earlier on Oct 3, former chairman of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation Maj Gen (retd) Imamuzzaman gave testimony in the same court.
Earlier, former director of NSI, two for deputy inspectors general and the CMP commissioner gave testimony as witnesses in the case.
In light of the evidence, the police on Sunday appealed the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrates' Court for granting remand of former home state minister Lutfozzaman Babar for interrogation in the case.
The investigation officer, Maniruzzaman Chowdhury, questioned officials from the navy, coast guards and customs in this connection.
Former NSI directors general Abdur Rahim and Enamur Rahman, its deputy director Liyakat Hossain, field officer Akbar Hossain and another official Shahabuddin, and former CUFL managing director Mohsinuddin Chowdhury and director (admin) A K M Enamul Huq were arrested in connection with the the cases.
bdnews24.com/mc/pks/am/2210h
