Evidence tampering worries ACB

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said suspects’ tendency to suppress evidence is one of the main challenges the bureau is facing to successfully investigate and prosecute persons who are found with unexplained property.

The bureau’s remarks come at a time ACB and police have since arrested several people who have been found with unexplained cash and suspected to have swindled funds from the public coffers by beating the suspended Integrated Financial Management Information System (Ifmis).

In an e-mailed response on the bureau’s position regarding investigation and prosecution of people found with unexplained property, ACB spokesperson   Egrita Ndala said while the bureau has been investigating and prosecuting several people on the same, tampering with evidence by the suspects is among major challenges they have been facing to fight graft.

“The ACB investigates alleged corrupt practices when a complaint has been lodged. This is what may lead the bureau to ask suspects of corrupt practices to explain how they acquired the wealth.

“If the explanation shows that it was legitimately acquired the case will be closed and if not, the suspect may be taken to court,” said Ndala.

She said the proposed Assets Declaration Bill will complement provisions in the Corrupt Practices Act in tackling corrupt practices in public institutions as the bureau will be able to access the information on the declared assets for purposes of comparing the information for evidence.

Under the Assets Declaration Bill to be deliberated by Parliament during this sitting, the President, Vice-President, Cabinet ministers and other public officers are supposed to declare plots, houses, plant and motor vehicles in their names.