New ACC regulation requires priority for PG directives
The amendments will come into force two months after publication.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has amended its Regulation on Investigation Procedures to require investigations ordered by the Prosecutor General (PG) to be prioritised and completed without delay.
The amendments, published on Sunday, introduce nine changes to the regulation, including new provisions, revisions to existing clauses and changes to the structure of several chapters.
The amendments will come into force two months after publication. The regulation also requires the ACC to develop the investigative guidelines needed to implement the changes within one month of the amendments taking effect.
Among the changes is the introduction of a new chapter titled Complying with Directives Issued to the Commission, which sets out procedures for handling cases referred by the Prosecutor General.
Under the amended regulation:
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Cases referred to the ACC by the Prosecutor General must be given priority and investigated without delay.
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If a case referred by the Prosecutor General has not already been registered, the ACC must register it immediately.
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Investigations initiated following a directive from the Prosecutor General to verify information received through a criminal complaint or intelligence report must also be prioritised.
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Where no deadline is specified by the Prosecutor General, the ACC must respond within seven working days.
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If the commission is unable to respond within that period, it must submit a written request seeking an extension of up to seven additional working days.
The amendments also revise the provision governing who may submit cases to the ACC.
Under the revised Section 5(c), state institutions are now expressly authorised to submit cases to the commission. Previously, the provision referred only to cases submitted by the Prosecutor General through a directive to investigate.
The ACC was established as an independent institution responsible for investigating corruption and offences within its jurisdiction. The commission has, however, faced public criticism over delays in completing investigations and the handling of high-profile cases.
