A bill on the proposed Organic law on the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) was tabled on Tuesday night in Parliament and referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Laws, Acts and Subordinate Legislations.
The committee will consider it and then report to the Parliament before there is any opportunity for debate on the proposed law.
The Organic Law will contain the full details of how the ICAC will operate.
ICAC will be headed by a commissioner and two deputy commissioners who shall be appointed through an appointments committee.
The composition of the appointments committee will be provided for in the new Organic Law.
The government has assured that the new organisation will not encroach on the Ombudsman Commission’s role to police the Leadership Code and Police, who will do their normal policing duties.
Some functions of the ICAC include:
- Encourage, cooperate and work with other bodies to undertake research, or develop or review strategies, policies, procedures, training, awareness and education regarding corrupt conduct;
- Receive and consider complaints about, and investigate, alleged or suspected corrupt conduct;
- Exchange information, refer cases and cooperate with other agencies about alleged or suspected corrupt conduct; and
- Exercise criminal prosecution powers or other powers conferred under Organic Law.
The Committee will report to parliament when the sitting resumes on March 22nd 2016.