Court bars ex-Education Minister Nowfel’s wife from leaving country

A Dhaka court has barred Ema Claire Burton, wife of former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhoury Nowfel, from leaving the country in a corruption case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court’s acting judge Md Alamgir passed the order on Tuesday (September 22) following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), ACC prosecutor Tarikul Islam said.

ACC Assistant Director and investigation officer Afnan Jannat Keya sought the travel ban, saying Burton had allegedly failed to submit her wealth statement to the commission within the stipulated period.

According to the ACC application, Burton is accused of acquiring and possessing assets worth Tk 84.35 lakh allegedly inconsistent with her known sources of income. The commission filed the case against her on June 4 last year.

The investigation officer also said the ACC had received information from a reliable source that Burton was allegedly attempting to leave the country secretly. Her departure could make it difficult to collect case-related documents and hamper the investigation, the application said.

The ACC therefore sought the travel restriction in the interest of a proper investigation, leading to Tuesday’s court order.