The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has asked the People’s Majlis to allow them the authority to prosecute in instances probed by the commission.
Yesterday, the Majlis Budget Committee met with the ACC to review the proposed state budget for the forthcoming fiscal year.
In response to Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem’s assertions that the ACC sent deficient paperwork for prosecution in connection with the commission’s investigations, the commission urged the Majlis to call the prosecutor general to explain the claims.
During the committee meeting, several Majlis members voiced concern with the sluggish pace of ACC investigations and their failure to obtain substantial outcomes, with members asking whether the commission would like to change the legislation to expedite its work.
In response, the ACC asked for the authority to prosecute in corruption cases that they are investigating.
“The most significant remedy we want is that the Anti-Corruption Commission be given prosecutorial authority. We recognise that it will not be easy, but we hope to make a decision on prosecution one day after completing an inquiry,” ACC Member Ibrahim Shakeel told the committee.
Shakeel added that he did not want to comment on the Prosecutor General’s Office’s decision about their investigations, but urged the Majlis to investigate why charges were not brought by the prosecutor general, who claimed a lack of necessary paperwork from the ACC.
