National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Wednesday gave the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) a 24-hour ultimatum to withdraw its "initial evidence" remark against him.

Failing which, he said he would file a case against the commission.

“If the ACC does not apologise within 24 hours for the defamation caused to me, I will send them legal notice,” he said at a press briefing at the NCP central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor.

Earlier in the day, the ACC announced an inquiry against the former youth and sports adviser to the interim government and three other officials over alleged corruption and irregularities involving the Department of Youth Development.

Asif Mahmud rejected the allegations and said that the decisions were made following a court order and recommendations of the Public Service Commission.

“It is clear that an attempt has been made to spread disinformation against me for political purposes. Some are trying to use this as a political weapon to suppress opposition parties and dissenting voices,” he said.

Asif added that the ACC spokesperson had made a statement saying that "primary evidence" had been found against him over alleged irregularities. But the spokesperson later told reporters in a WhatsApp group that the remark had been a “slip of the tongue."

Asif accused the commission of engaging in "character assassination".

He said he was ready to cooperate with any lawful inquiry and provide all relevant documents.

“But the investigating agency also has to act responsibly,” he added.