Bill for ICAC members

The National Main Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
A MEMBER of the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) will have the same privileges, protections and immunities as a National Court judge, according to a Bill to be tabled in Parliament this week.
Leader of Government Business Rainbo Paita told The National last week that the Organic Law on ICAC had been approved by the National Executive Council for tabling in the House in this session. “The Law was published in the (42-page) National Gazette No G843 on Oct 17, 2019 as a statutory requirement of the Constitution. It is now ready for Clerk to give Notice in Parliament,” he said.
When it becomes law after it is passed in Parliament, a Commissioner to be appointed will be “a person of high integrity, independence of mind and good reputation, and is qualified for appointment as a Judge of the National Court”.
He will serve six years if he/she is a citizen or three years if not a citizen. There are various penalties and conditions, including anyone obstructing the commission or a commission officer to pay a fine not exceeding K5,000 and/or imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years.
Persons who alter, destroy or conceal a document knowing that it will likely be required by the Commission will be fined K15,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years or both.
The commission also has the right to summon persons to give evidence, produce a document or give both evidence and produce documents. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to K10,000 and or imprisonment for two years.
Deputy Prime Minister Steven Davies earlier said the ICAC Bill and related Whistleblower legislation would be tabled early this year.
He said the Bill was in line with the Government’s efforts to combat corruption.

2 comments

  • The fines are too lenient and not deterrent enough. Low fines and lesser sentence, how will that help combat unabated level of corruption? The law makers themselves are seen on the wrong side of the spectrum leading in corruption. Lesser fines and sentencing term, there is no wisdom and defeats the purpose of ICAC Act.

  • The loan scheme is a real blessing for the unfortunate students, or I’d say people like us, those who vote against the loan scheme are indirectly telling us they have enough or they have someone to support them, those raised up in moderate or higher standard of living does not know what/how struggle is like. Being raised in the village, my parents spent an estimated of K400 to K500 in a year, and it is definitely impossible for me to pay up such huge amount (grand) demanded by tertiary institution.
    This loan scheme is a newly introduced system and from watching students debating on this topic at the UPNG main lecture theatre last year the pros surpass the cons, we are advancing and we need to try new ways of doing things in order to achieve individual success in a more effective and efficient way, this is a new system and if it doesn’t work better the government can always look for the next better alternative.I therefore support the idea of issuing the student HELP loan scheme.
    Final year UPNG student

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