“The Anti-Corruption Commission has no power whatsoever to jail anyone convicted of corruption or related offences neither do I as a Commissioner to do so,” Francis Ben Keifala Esq. recently made it abundantly clear while updating local media on the commission’s latest operations.

It’s typically the power or responsibility of the judiciary (courts) to prescribe punishment including jail term for those who are convicted.

Mr. Keifala made the clarification following public perception that ACC always levy paltry or ridiculous punishments especially jail term on convicts. “But that is not our duty. Prescribing punishment does not fall under the Commission’s purview. We only have power to arrest and prosecute and the rest lies with the judiciary,” the commissioner stressed, adding that, left within him alone, he would suggest a lengthy jail term not less than thirty-five years and a heavy fine.

He expressed deep frustration over the ugly issue, insisting that corrupt officials are responsible for the retrogression of this tiny nation, given that they have plundered its several God’s given resources for a very long time with perfect impunity.

“But we are going to run after them and smoke them from their hideouts and deal with them accordingly,” Commissioner Keifala vowed and appealed to the media to help the commission for the benefit of the entire citizenry.