Farah Gogi, a close aide of former first lady Bushra Bibi, and her husband on Thursday sought action against a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officer while warning the bureau of a defamation action.
Responding to NAB’s summon notice in assets beyond means and money laundering investigation, Gogi and her husband Ahsan Jamil Gujjar maintained that a press release was issued by the bureau before filing a reference.
Their lawyer argued that false information was preemptively shared with the media, which stands in violation of NAB law. Based on this the anti-graft watchdog should take action against the responsible officer.
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Gogi’s lawyer further contended that NAB is not authorised to investigate a private business. The couple have their own private business and NAB’s investigation into it falls outside the bureau’s jurisdiction, the lawyer submitted, adding that the bank accounts called into question have already been declared.
The lawyer said that based on the above, Gogi and her husband reserve the right to file a defamation suit against NAB.
NAB’s investigation
The anti-graft watchdog had summoned Gogi and Gujjar in an inquiry pertaining to money laundering and assets beyond means.
According to NAB, transactions worth over Rs4.5 billion were found to have been made through 117 bank accounts, including four foreign accounts, associated with the couple. Moreover, at least 10 companies owned by the duo have been called into question.
A NAB officer maintained that an increase of over 400 per cent was reported in their assets in the past three years. He referred to a luxury apartment registered in the Middle East and the ownership of eight properties, including a commercial plaza in Defence Lahore.
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The call-up notices issued separately to both the husband and wife read, "Whereas the competent authority has taken the cognizance of an offence committed by you and others under the provisions of National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 and Anti Money Laundering Act, 2010".
It further stated, "the inquiry proceedings conducted so far have revealed that there is huge movement of cash in your and your husband bank accounts which does not commensurate with your banking profile. Moreover, during the proceedings a whole range of valuable immovable assets has also surfaced in your and your husband's names, which also do not commensurate with your sources of income. Accordingly, you are in possession of information/evidence whatsoever, which relate to the commission [of] an offence under the provisions of NAO, 1999 and AMLA 2010. You were called upon to appear at this Bureau vide above referred notice but you failed to do so".
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