Rabiul Hasan Ovi, director of Ekushey Television, has been accused of exploiting his connections with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to siphon millions in the name of promoting the Ashrayan Project. Using her name as a trump card, Ovi allegedly received 50 million BDT from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ashrayan Project for producing documentaries. However, sources claim that only a fraction of the allocated funds was actually spent on these substandard productions.

Ovi reportedly manipulated the owners of Ekushey TV, Masud Alam and Abdus Samad Labu, of S. Alam Group. He convinced them that the Prime Minister’s Office mandated the group to fund the project. At a time when S. Alam Group was embroiled in financial fraud cases and negative press, they allegedly provided substantial funds and resources, including manpower, vehicles, and equipment, to please the authorities.

Leveraging his connections with top officials and the Prime Minister's personal secretary, Ovi ensured state privileges such as government facilities, circuit houses, and protocol services for his team. He also allegedly extracted gifts from district commissioners and upazila officials, promising favorable publicity. Additionally, accusations have surfaced about him accepting bribes by falsely claiming he could influence transfers and promotions.

Ovi, who identifies himself as the son of Sheikh Hasina’s late friend Baby Maudud, falsely claims to be her nephew. He often narrated fictitious tales, alleging that Sheikh Hasina personally called him multiple times a day to inquire about his well-being. These fabrications were used to lure wealthy individuals and businesses into his schemes.

In one notable incident, Ovi claimed he could reinstate dismissed former Gazipur Mayor Jahangir Alam and secure his re-nomination as mayor. Reports suggest that while Jahangir initially paid a significant sum, he stopped further payments after realizing the scam. Similar allegations have been made by two other contractors who were threatened with license cancellations if they spoke out.

Despite promises to highlight the Ashrayan Project's achievements nationwide, Ovi and his team completed less than half the required work across 64 districts. Frequent bouts of excessive drinking and substance abuse during field visits hampered the project’s progress. 

Reports suggest that Ovi embezzled money from various government projects under the guise of donations for publishing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s unfinished autobiography. Allegedly, these embezzled funds were funneled to India, where Ovi married a woman from a lower-income family in Kolkata and purchased land to build a multi-story apartment.

Ovi has been accused of homosexuality, physically assaulting colleagues, blackmailing individuals, and extorting money through intimidation. Despite being appointed as Ekushey TV’s director due to Sheikh Hasina’s goodwill, his reputation deteriorated due to repeated allegations of corruption and misconduct. Eventually, even Sheikh Hasina reportedly distanced herself from him.