The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said that it conducted concurrent sting operations at COVID-19 checkpoints in Four Mile, Six Mile and Mange Bridge, the Commission disclosed this in a press statement it put out on Thursday June 18, 2020.
According to the Commission, it carried out the operations in response to intelligence entrenched in public concerns that security officers manning the COVID-19 checkpoints accept bribes in exchange for allowing unauthorized vehicles to ply the route, in violation of the directives governing the inter-district lockdown.
The ACC revealed that during the course their operation at Four Mile checkpoint, official of the Commission arrested a military officer, who allegedly received Seventy Thousand Leones (70,000) as bribe to facilitate the passage of a vehicle that did not have an E-PASS.
“At Six Mile and Mange Bridge checkpoints, no officer was seen receiving bribes. However, it was clearly observed that, the security officers unlawfully allowed vehicles without E-PASSES to ply through, thereby compromising State security and undermining the COOVID-19 response efforts,” the ACC said in their statement.
Furthermore the ACC in their media release expressed belief that it is for the authorities in the security sector to address these cases, with the ACC working with them to put preventive measures in place.
Furthermore the ACC assured the public that they would promptly be notified on the progress relating to the investigation on the military officer who is likely to be referred to the Military Justice System for administrative redress.
The Commission also reassured the public of its continued commitment to controlling corruption at all levels, particularly in instilling integrity and sanity in activities meant to address COVID-19.
By George M.O. Williams
22/6/2020. ISSUE NO.:7850