Current Problems in Responding to the Corrupt Activities of Public Officials at the Investigation and Trial Stages, and Solutions for Them (From Resource Material Series No. 56, P 546-562, 2000, Hiroshi Iitsuka and Rebecca Findlay-Debeck, eds. -- See NCJ-191475)

• NCJ Number: 191515
• Author(s): Emmanuel Onuoha
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: A paper from the 113th UNAFEI International Training Course, "The Effective Administration of Criminal Justice for the Prevention of Corrupt Activities by Public Officials," August 30-November 18, 1999.

Annotation

This is the report from a work group that considered current problems in responding to the corrupt activities of public officials at the investigative and trial stages, as well as solutions, with attention to the situations in the countries represented in the work group (Pakistan, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil, Grenada, Kyrgyzstan, and Sri Lanka).

Abstract

The group discussion of current problems and solutions in responding to the corrupt activities of public officials at the investigative and trial stages was conducted under three sub-topics. The first part dealt with the problems and solutions for securing independence and neutrality of the investigative agencies and the courts. The aim of this discussion was to obtain an overview of the current structure, function, and control of investigative agencies and the courts in the participants' countries and to identify appropriate measures for achieving independence and neutrality. The problems and solutions for the detection and investigation of corruption by public officials was the subject of the second sub-topic. Issues discussed were the problem of obtaining information, securing the cooperation of people involved in the case, investigative tools, investigators' skill, and coordination among various investigative agencies. The group also identified appropriate solutions for the detection and investigation of corruption in the public sector and recommended these for implementation by relevant agencies in various countries. Under the third sub-topic, the group examined the problems of and solutions for speedy and efficient administration of trial. The focus of the discussion was on the necessity for the introduction of witness protection programs, the reversal of burden of proof, resources at the disposal of trial courts, witness cooperation, dilatory tactics of the defense, court monitoring systems, and sentencing patterns. Also discussed was the mass media's role in exposing corruption as a means of mobilizing public action against corruption.