A bill seeking to amend the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2008 is in the offing. Several Members of Parliament contacted denied any knowledge of the private member motion, but Politico has obtained a copy of it.
Signed by governing APC party MP, Ibrahim Bundu, it seeks to amend Section 119/1&2 of the ACCT Act 2008. If the proposed amendmwent has its way, public officials will no longer be required to declare their assets annually. Rather, they will only do so on assumption of office and after they have left.
The proposal reads: “Every public officer shall within three months of becoming a public officer and while leaving office deposit with the Commission a sworn declaration of his income, assets and liabilities.” (See below)
The Commissioner of the ACC, Joseph Kamara told Politico that they were contacted by Parliament on the proposed amendment to which they replied saying that a triennial declaration could be a possible alternative and not a one-off one.
Attorney General, Frank Kargbo said cabinet had nothing to do with it and that it was being moved by parliamentarians.
“As a cabinet we have not taken a position on the proposed amendment” Kargbo told Politico when he was asked if they would support the proposal.
A civil society activist has rubbished the proposed amendnemtn. The Executive Director of the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Ibrahim Tommy, had this to say: "In a country where corruption is still widespread, any plans to amend the Anti-Corruption Act should be geared towards making it tougher not weaker.”
He said the proposed amendment would “not only make it less likely for the ACC to keep tabs on the assets level of public officials on a regular basis, but could help many corrupt officials escape justice.”
Tommy said that even with the current law the Commission had not been able to enforce full compliance, adding that any such amendment would only worsen things. He urged parliament to extricate themselves saying: “At this point, our parliament should be interested in promoting openness and habitual accountability practices in governance rather than secrecy” calling the proposed amendment “anti-people” with the proclivity of undermining efforts aimed at combating corruption in the country which he said was widespread.
© Politico 13/06/13
