Jeremie on the ball

The recent announcement by Attorney General John Jeremie of plans for the restructuring of the Integrity Commission is timely given the crescendo of complaints both from within the government and without over the operations of the Commission. In making the announcement, Mr Jeremie noted the government’s commitment to ensuring the reduction of corruption “to the point where it no longer undermines the rule of law or hampers the economic, social and political development of the country.” Since assuming office, Mr Jeremie tried in several ways to attack the corruption issue with determination which, given recent events, must be troubling even to members of his own party.

Every administration since this country’s independence has paid lip service to the issue of “morality in public affairs” or “fighting corruption” but despite a plethora of legislation on the books, it is only over the last two years that the country has begun to see some action. This has culminated in, for the first time in the country’s history, two sitting Cabinet Ministers being charged for corruption offences. While it is true that the corruption charges against former officials and supporters of the former ruling United National Congress were already in train, it is clear that the resources being channelled to the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau by Mr Jeremie have yielded considerable results with persons being indicted even in the United States of America.

The Government, and the Attorney General in particular, have been criticised for this with the UNC predictably alleging a partisan witch-hunt. By referring his two colleagues to the Integrity Commission when the matter was referred to him by the Prime Minister, Mr Jeremie has demonstrated that his anti-corruption charge is being waged with the evenhandedness so important if it is to be credible. The announcement that he has gone a step further and secured additional funding for the restructuring of the Integrity Commission suggests that the AG is also sensitive to the seriousness with which a large section of the population views this issue.

As welcome as these developments are, however, Mr Jeremie must recognise that all his efforts will come to nothing if after all the allegations, prosecutions remain mired in interminable delays in the High Court. Given the apparent pervasive incidence of corruption at all levels, Mr Jeremie may find that as he strengthens the Integrity Commission, even more resources may be needed to strengthen the judiciary to deal with the resulting cases.