President Farmaajo assents to anti-graft bill

President Mohamed Farmaajo has today signed into law the Anti-Corruption Bill about nine months after it was passed by the Upper House following a similar approval by the Lower House.

The Bill which provides for the formation of an Anti-Corruption Commission was first submitted to the House by the Ministry of Justice in 2017.

According to article 6 of the law, the Commission is mandated to prevent, investigate and disseminate corruption allegations, freeze, seize, confiscate and return unlawfully acquired public property and investigate corruption allegations in public and private organisations among other roles.

The Commission will report to the Office of Public Prosecutor investigations of alleged offences under the act. Article 8 of the Act provides for the formation of a nine-member Commission three of whom must be women and one person with special needs.

The Minister of Justice shall present the nine nominees to the cabinet which shall then submit if satisfied to the Lower House for approval. The House can approve or reject with reasons one member or whole of the nominees.