Jamuna Oil’s Millionaire Union Leader Ayakub Remanded in Custody

A prominent trade union figure at the state-owned Jamuna Oil Company has been sent to prison following his arrest in connection with a case arising from an alleged attack on students during the anti-discrimination student movement. Muhammad Ayakub, the long-serving General Secretary of Jamuna Oil’s labour union, was detained by police in the early hours of Sunday and subsequently remanded in custody by court order.

The matter was confirmed by Jahidul Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of Chandgaon Police Station, who stated that Ayakub had been arrested in relation to a case filed over incidents linked to the July movement, which gained renewed legal momentum in September. Following his arrest, Ayakub was produced before the court, which ordered that he be sent to jail.

Ayakub is no ordinary employee. Within Jamuna Oil Company circles, he has long been regarded as one of the organisation’s most influential and controversial figures. His journey began in 1997, when he joined the company as a typist, following in the footsteps of his late father, Md Abul Kashem, who had served as an office assistant at the same organisation. After his father’s death, Ayakub secured his position and gradually rose through the ranks.

In 2009, he was elected Joint General Secretary of the company’s labour union. Within a year, he ascended to the post of General Secretary, a position he has held continuously for nearly fifteen years. During this period, the union was aligned with the Workers’ League; however, following last year’s political realignment, Ayakub is reported to have shifted the organisation’s affiliation to the Workers’ Party, reflecting the changing political winds.

Despite beginning his career on a modest salary, Ayakub’s present lifestyle has attracted considerable attention. Colleagues note that when his job was made permanent in 1997, his basic monthly salary stood at just Tk 935. Today, his basic pay has risen to Tk 37,503, with total monthly earnings reportedly amounting to Tk 85,100. Yet he resides in a spacious 4,000-square-foot apartment in Khulshi, one of Chattogram’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, travels in his own microbus, and is believed to have both declared and undeclared investments across several businesses.

According to company and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sources, Ayakub and his family own or jointly own multiple properties across Chattogram and surrounding areas.

Summary of Reported Salary and Assets