The Bribery and Corruption Investigation Commission is set to issue summonses to politicians and officials who have been evading their responsibilities to appear for questioning related to ongoing investigations into bribery and corruption. This action is in accordance with the powers vested in the commission under relevant legal frameworks.
A senior officer from the commission has confirmed that those failing to respond to the summons will be reported to the court, which will facilitate further legal action to ensure their appearance. Additionally, the commission plans to seek arrest warrants for individuals who neglect to comply with court-issued summonses.
The decision to pursue this course of action stems from the commission’s difficulties in securing cooperation from several individuals against whom complaints have been lodged. Many of these complaints involve serious allegations of corruption and irregularities, and delays in prosecution have occurred due to the lack of engagement from the accused parties.
Moreover, the commission has identified a backlog of completed investigations that have yet to result in prosecutions. In response, they have directed officials to expedite the filing of cases stemming from these concluded investigations.
Notably, some inquiries have uncovered instances where politicians and officials have transferred illicitly gained assets to close relatives to obscure their ownership. Consequently, the commission is intensifying efforts to hold such individuals accountable for their actions.
This proactive approach aims to reinforce the commission’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their position, are held responsible for their actions.