Africa
A prodigal policeman returns
The Economist, UK
Nigeria’s former anti-corruption tsar, Nuhu Ribadu, has returned to Nigeria following an 18 month-long self-imposed exile. Mr Ribadu, who was the first head of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), enjoyed good relations with both Western governments and anti-corruption groups but fell out with then President Olusegun Obasanjo. Fearing for his life, he fled the country. Since Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s new president, took office in May, charges that Mr Ribadu failed to declare his assets while at the EFCC have been dropped, clearing the way for his return.
Anti-corruption body reveals Moroccan legal loopholes
Magharebia, North Africa (website sponsored by U.S. military’s Africa Command)
Morocco must combat corruption by adopting an overall strategy that includes more than just punitive measures, according to a report by the Central Authority for the Prevention of Corruption (ICPC). The body, set up by the government in 2006, said other steps included raising awareness and refining laws. The report also stated that although Morocco’s anti-corruption laws contain practically the same elements as the United Nations’ anti-corruption convention, the attempt to engage in acts of corruption is not seen as a criminal offence.
Asia
Ordnance Factory Board scam: Indian police urge six firms blacklisted
The Times of India, India
The Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recommended to the Indian Ministry of Defence that it blacklists six firms, four of which are international. The recommendation relates to a recent bribery scandal in which the CBI alleges that the former Director General of the Ordnance Factory Board and 11 other employees accepted bribes in the procurement of defence equipment.
Chinese officers placed under spotlight for corruption
China Daily, China
Beijing police have begun a month-long internal investigation that aims to expose and punish corrupt police officers. The crackdown began on Friday July 2 and will last for a month. Authorities will be paying particularly close attention to cases of abuse of power with regards to guanxi, or relationships, and money. Any officer found breaking the rules will face disciplinary punishment and could also be fired.
To fight corruption, Chinese officials must now report marital status, family location
Xinhua, China
China has issued a far reaching anti-corruption regulation that requires officials to report significant changes in their personal circumstances. These changes include marital status, personal income, housing, family investments and the whereabouts of their spouses and children if they have moved abroad. According to the regulation, if officials fail to report honestly or in a timely fashion, they could face punishment up to and including removal of their official rank.
Middle East
Corruption cost Arabs $1 trillion: report
Emirates Business 24|7, UAE
Persistent corruption and other financial malpractices have cost Arab countries nearly $1 trillion according to a regional anti-corruption group. The losses accounted for nearly a third of the total income earned by the Arab countries between 1950 and 2000, said the Arab Anti-Corruption Organization (AACO), an independent civil institution with offices in Britain and Lebanon. AACO made the estimates at an anti-corruption conference held in Cairo.
Latin America
Cleaning up
The Economist, UK
A new Brazilian law approved last month will disqualify from political office for eight years all those convicted of a serious crime, as well as those whose resignations were motivated by a desire to avoid impeachment, as determined by the electoral tribunals. The electoral court also ruled that the law will apply not just to those convicted in the future, but also to those who already have a criminal record and those who resigned under a cloud during the current congress.
Europe
Blow to Berlusconi as new minister quits
Financial Times, UK (subscription required)
A new minister in the Italian government, Aldo Brancher, has resigned to defend himself against allegations of embezzlement. He became Italy’s second minister to quit the centre-right government in as many months, following Claudio Scajola who is under investigation for corruption.
Bulgarian police arrest another corrupt customs officer at border
The Sofia Echo, Bulgaria
Bulgarian police have announced that as part of an operation codenamed "Border", a customs officer from the crossing point of Lessovo, on the Turkish frontier, has been arrested for taking bribes. The operation was prompted by complaints from Bulgarian nationals and foreign tourists who said they were being "blackmailed and harassed" by customs officers.
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