Two extra Jamaican lawmakers have been referred for investigation for alleged illicit enrichment, the Integrity Commission disclosed in its 2023-2024 annual report. This brings the whole variety of regulation makers underneath investigation to eight.
Jamaica’s regulation blocks the anti-corruption company from talking on its investigations earlier than a report is tabled.
The Corruption Prevention Act states that illicit enrichment occurs the place a public servant owns belongings disproportionate to his lawful earnings; and upon being requested by the fee or any particular person duly licensed to research an allegation of corruption in opposition to him, to offer a proof as to how he got here by such belongings, he fails to take action; or provides a proof which isn’t thought-about to be passable, he shall be liable to prosecution for the offence of illicit enrichment.
The regulation states that it shall be a protection to an individual charged with an offence of illicit enrichment to point out the court docket that he got here by the belongings by lawful means.
In its earlier annual report for 2022-2023, the fee disclosed that six parliamentarians and 28 different public officers have been referred for investigation for illicit enrichment.
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A number of politicians have complained about being tainted and known as on the fee to hurry up its investigation, to clear their title.
The fee’s newest report didn’t present any updates on these referred final 12 months. It mentioned 4 different public officers have been additionally referred for investigations.
The fee mentioned 13 members of the Home of Representatives have been referred for investigation for illicit enrichment or offering false data over the interval April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2024. Two native authorities councilors, one everlasting secretary, 5 heads of entities and 40 different public officers have been additionally referred for the offences.
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The company mentioned some public officers have been referred for alleged breaches over a number of intervals for which statutory declaration have been due.
