Malahoo Forte frowns on IC targeting of politicians for illicit enrichment in report
Published:Wednesday | January 10, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte has questioned the Integrity Commission’s decision to single out parliamentarians under probe for illicit enrichment in its annual report, arguing that the move is unfair and inconsistent.
Malahoo Forte, who was speaking during a meeting of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee yesterday, said the anti-corruption body, in its annual report for 2022, indicated that 28 public officials were similarly under probe.
The minister said that, in one section of the report, public officials are identified as judiciary officers, councillors, permanent secretaries and heads of entities.
She said that, in another section, categories of declarants are specified in a different manner.
“I do believe that the public and the Parliament may benefit from some clarification and consistency in how the Integrity Commission specifies which set of people are put in the spotlight,” said Malahoo Forte.
“So, the report is a little inconsistent and I think perhaps it may be more helpful in that instead of clumping together they either put the category of declarants or they don’t specify at all,” she said.
‘A more useful approach’
Malahoo Forte said that, while the reason the spotlight is on parliamentarians is appreciated, integrity in public life is not limited to the group.
“I would like to know from the commission itself and perhaps the commissioners themselves what is their rationale for spotlighting the parliamentarians separate,” she said.
She said merely indicating that categories of declarants are under investigation without more information is not to the benefit of the Integrity Commission or the integrity of the system.
“I’m just wondering whether the time has come for us to sit with the commission to really consider a more useful and productive approach to be taken in the putting out of information for the work being done,” she said.
In its 2022 annual report, the Integrity Commission said it was investigating six parliamentarians and 28 public officials.
The commission also said seven lawmakers were being investigated for providing false information to the anti-corruption body.
Section 14 (5) (a) and (b) of the Corruption Prevention Act states that illicit enrichment happens where a public servant owns assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings; and upon being requested by the commission or any person duly authorised to investigate an allegation of corruption against him, to provide an explanation as to how he came by such assets, he fails to do so; or gives an explanation which is not considered to be satisfactory, he shall be liable to prosecution for the offence of illicit enrichment.