ACC calls for establishment of asset recovery institution

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director General, Daphne Chabu has called for the establishment of a dedicated institution meant to manage assets recovered through law enforcement processes. And Mrs Chabu says the management of assets recovered through law enforcement…

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director General, Daphne Chabu has called for the establishment of a dedicated institution meant to manage assets recovered through law enforcement processes.

And Mrs Chabu says the management of assets recovered through law enforcement processes is an important component of the broader fight against corruption and economic crime.

Speaking in Lusaka during the official opening of a three-day consultative meeting on the Draft Criminal Asset Management Bill, the ACC Director General says a dedicated institution would ensure that assets are managed by professionals while allowing law enforcement agencies to remain focused on their primary mandates.

Mrs Chabu said effective asset management can strengthen public confidence in the fight against corruption.

She said assets may deteriorate and risk being misused, if they are not managed within a legal framework.

“When citizens see that assets linked to corruption are recovered and responsibly managed, it sends a powerful message that crime does not pay. On the contrary, weak asset management systems can undermine the objectives of asset recovery. Assets may deteriorate, lose value, incur unnecessary costs or become vulnerable to misuse if they are not managed within a clear and accountable legal framework,” said Mrs Chabu.

Speaking at the same event, Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Gideon Mwanza said the fight against corruption must ensure that proceeds and benefits derived from crime are managed effectively for the benefit of citizens.

Prof Mwanza said the fight against corruption must extend beyond investigating and prosecuting offenders describing the proposed Criminal Asset Management Bill as significant.

He said the consultation is important because the effectiveness of the proposed legislation will not only depend on the quality of the law itself, but the extent to which it can be effectively implemented.

Prof. Mwanza added that the success of the proposed Criminal Asset Management framework will require collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders.

He noted that some forfeited assets are contributing to the national development agenda and benefiting the public.

“Such assets are being put to productive and socially beneficial use, including, in some instances, being utilised as Government offices and other public facilities. This demonstrates the value of ensuring that assets recovered through the proceeds of crime framework are preserved and, where legally appropriate, put to use for the benefit of the Zambian people,” Prof. Mwanza stated.