Right, but not quite

Showing determination to fight against corruption in all its forms, the prosecutor general of the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission recently pressed charges against the head of a department in the Greater Amman Municipality and his assistant.

The detained officials, who were responsible for issuing professional licences in the Jubeiha District, belonging to the municipality, stand accused of fraud and asking for bribes. 

Three other individuals suspected of forgery, working for Ruseifa’s labour directorate, were also ordered detained following field visits conducted by the commission personnel tasked with pursuing corruption at government agencies.

Such reports are encouraging; the detention, pending investigations, of people suspected of abuse of office shows that this government is serious about combating corruption. 

Yet, there is concern about detaining people administratively without a court order and without a prima facie case against them. 

Accusations that an official committed graft, especially when there are complaints against him, has to be followed, immediately, by investigation and to be proved in a judicial setting.

Concerned authorities need to conduct thorough investigation into charges of corruption before putting the suspects behind bars, even if for just two weeks, as is the case with the recently detained officials.

It would be most unfair to have people spend a certain amount of time in detention and then decide that they are innocent of the charges.

Without question, anybody accused of corruption, and especially of abuse of office, must be held accountable.

But such persons must be brought to justice before a court of law where judicial norms are respected and observed. 

Hearsay evidence must not be depended upon without corroboration with serious evidence that could withstand international norms of fair trial.

It is a good idea for the trial to receive maximum publicity, both to prove that the legal procedures were duly followed and to send a clear message to the public that corruption will be prosecuted, only properly and fairly.

There is simply no excuse for acting in a way that brings prejudice to the citizen. Not by those who ask for bribes and not by those who take action to remedy any such perceived situation.