Commission, UNDP unveil billboard

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on December 22, 2011 unveiled a billboard installed in connection with the International Anti-Corruption day.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Addisu Mengistu said International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated every year on December 9.

“ACT –Against Corruption Today!” is the motto selected by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UNDP for this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day. He said the FEACC has also been colorfully celebrating the Day with various events under the theme “Fighting Corruption is Fighting Poverty”.

The installation of the billboard in connection with this important event would have a key role in raising public awareness on the importance of acting against corruption at this moment, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner on the occasion appreciated the wide-ranging support the UNDP has been extending to further strengthen the anti-corruption endeavor of the Commission through the Democratic Institutions Program (DIP).

UNDP Country Director and Acting Resident Representative, H.E. Alessandra Tisot, transferred United Nations Secretary General’s message on the International Anti-Corruption day.

The Commission has installed two billboards and distributed banner, posters and flyers containing anti-corruption messages in connection with the Day.

Commissions hold 11^th Regular Joint Conference in Gondar

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 11^th Regular Joint Conference of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and other judicial organs held in Gondar town from December 15-16, 2011. The conference that was opened by the Amhara Regional State President, Ayalew Gobeze discussed on relevant issues.

Conference participants made thorough discussion on the 2003 E.C national anti-corruption activities report and the four year (2004-2007 E.C) draft strategic plan of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition.

Papers on the efforts being made by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions for the success of the national Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) and the duties and responsibilities of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in the budget allocated by the Federal government to regional governments were presented and discussed by participants.

Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions gave briefings on the activities they have so far executed and their future plan in realizing the GTP.

Speaking at the closing of the conference, FEACC Commissioner, H.E. Ali Sulaiman urged the Commissions and other judicial organs to make efforts to properly implement decisions passed in the conference.

He said the Commissions have a great responsibility for the success of the GTP by combating corruption and rent seeking behavior. The Commissions should focus on contract administration, huge government procurements and sale, revenue and tax and justice system, among others, for the same cause.

The Afar Regional State Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission would host the 12^th Regular Joint Conference of the Commissions.

Staff members of FEACC mark Int’l White Ribbon Day, World AIDS Day

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) marked the International White Ribbon Day and World AIDS Day on December 8, 2011 with various assortments.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of FEACC, H.E. Addisu Mengistu said White Ribbon Day is marked every year to raise people’s awareness about gender based violence and its negative impact on development.

The day also aimed at pressuring governments to keep their promises to fight violence against women and further strengthening various campaigns launched to stop violence against women, he said. The day is named after an oath taken by men never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women to show their alliance.

The Deputy Commissioner said this year’s World AIDS Day is celebrated under the theme “Getting to Zero: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths”.

He said the FEACC has been contributing its share to fight violence against women and contain the spread of HIV/AIDS over the past years. The Commission has assigned focal persons for the same purpose.

Presenting a relevant paper, Seblewongel Fikadu, Focal Person for Gender in the Commission said White Ribbon Day is inspired by the White Ribbon Pledge lead by men who campaign to stop domestic violence against women. The Day is marked at national level under the theme '' Stop Gender-Based Violence and Speed up the Renaissance’s Development''.

HIV/AIDS Focal Person in the Commission, Ferda Gemeda, also presented a relevant paper on the occasion.

Discussions on the papers and various educational programs were presented as part of the event.

Five corruptors get rigorous imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on November 25, 2011 gave five individuals up to 4 years and five months of rigorous prison term and imposed fine on them for abuse of power and forgery.

According to the charge pressed against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), Tewodros Kejela, Ownership and Information Team Leader with the Akaki-Kaliti Sub-city, Taye Gebregiorgis, Land Development Team Leader with the Sub-city connived with Yeneneh Bizuneh, a surveyor to commit corruption offense.

The individuals illegally gave a land ownership map to Tsehay Bahita, who eventually sold the land to a certain organization at a cost of 1,750,000 Birr. The charge stated that that since the land was supposed to be a green area and to be intersected by a road the corruption offense caused the government to lose 8,315,350 Birr by giving compensation land for the organization that purchased it.

The charge stated that the corruptors also provided an illegal land ownership map to Sintayehu Eshete by adding 4,336 square meters of land on the legal 500 square meters of land the individual owns. Then Sintayehu sold the land at a cost of 1,400,000 Birr that caused the government to lose 4,862,598 Birr lease money it had to get from the land.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced Tewodros Kejela, Taye GebreGiorgis and Yeneneh Bizuneh to serve 3 years and 11 months of rigorous prison term and ordered each to pay 2,000 Birr fine. While Tsehay Bahita and Sintayehu Eshete each received 4 years and five months of rigorous imprisonment and 20,000 Birr in fine.

Commission’s staffs celebrate 6^th Nations, Nationalities, Peoples’ Day

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) colorfully celebrated the 6^th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day on December 6, 2011 with a symposium held at the Ethiopian National Theater.

Opening the symposium, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said the Day marked the endorsement of the constitution that enshrined the rights of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, who were abandoned of their rights in past regimes.

Accordingly, he said the constitution is a base for peace, development, unity and sovereignty. As every civil servant staff members of the Commission should obey and respect the constitution, he added.

Thorough discussion was made on the queries raised by staff members and stakeholders on the paper presented about Ethiopian Constitution on the occasion.

The 6^th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day was marked at national level under the theme “Our Constitution foundation for our diversity, unity and renaissance”.

Staff members of FEACC mark Int’l White Ribbon Day, World AIDS Day

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) marked the International White Ribbon Day and World AIDS Day on December 8, 2011 with various assortments.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of FEACC, H.E. Addisu Mengistu said White Ribbon Day is marked every year to raise people’s awareness about gender based violence and its negative impact on development.

The day also aimed at pressuring governments to keep their promises to fight violence against women and further strengthening various campaigns launched to stop violence against women, he said. The day is named after an oath taken by men never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women to show their alliance.

The Deputy Commissioner said this year’s World AIDS Day is celebrated under the theme “Getting to Zero: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths”.

He said the FEACC has been contributing its share to fight violence against women and contain the spread of HIV/AIDS over the past years. The Commission has assigned focal persons for the same purpose.

Presenting a relevant paper, Seblewongel Fikadu, Focal Person for Gender in the Commission said White Ribbon Day is inspired by the White Ribbon Pledge lead by men who campaign to stop domestic violence against women. The Day is marked at national level under the theme '' Stop Gender-Based Violence and Speed up the Renaissance’s Development''.

HIV/AIDS Focal Person in the Commission, Ferda Gemeda, also presented a relevant paper on the occasion.

Discussions on the papers and various educational programs were presented as part of the event.

Corruptors get 10 years behind bars for serious fraud

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 1^st Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on November 22, 2011 sentenced two individuals to serve 10 years behind bars for a charge of serious fraud and forgery brought against them by the Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC).

According to the charge, Konjit Desta and Mekonen Wolelaw, both business persons, illegally grabbed and sold 56,027, 689.60 Birr worth 32,320 square meters of land in the name of Hiwot Ber Housing Construction Cooperative.

The convicts forged government documents to get the stated land by falsely claiming that they were chairperson and secretary of the cooperative following the announcement made by the Addis Ababa City Administration in 1990 E.C for those legal housing construction cooperatives that didn’t get the land they requested, the charge said.

The individuals prepared fake site plan, location map, detailed plan, topology and other forged documents in the name of the cooperative by deleting the names of its legal members and instead they substituted 202 fabricated members.

Accordingly, since the convicts could not refute the evidences corroborated against them the Court gave them the above sentence for serious fraud and forgery.

Five corruptors get rigorous imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on November 25, 2011 gave five individuals up to 4 years and five months of rigorous prison term and imposed fine on them for abuse of power and forgery.

According to the charge pressed against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), Tewodros Kejela, Ownership and Information Team Leader with the Akaki-Kaliti Sub-city, Taye Gebregiorgis, Land Development Team Leader with the Sub-city connived with Yeneneh Bizuneh, a surveyor to commit corruption offense.

The individuals illegally gave a land ownership map to Tsehay Bahita, who eventually sold the land to a certain organization at a cost of 1,750,000 Birr. The charge stated that that since the land was supposed to be a green area and to be intersected by a road the corruption offense caused the government to lose 8,315,350 Birr by giving compensation land for the organization that purchased it.

The charge stated that the corruptors also provided an illegal land ownership map to Sintayehu Eshete by adding 4,336 square meters of land on the legal 500 square meters of land the individual owns. Then Sintayehu sold the land at a cost of 1,400,000 Birr that caused the government to lose 4,862,598 Birr lease money it had to get from the land.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced Tewodros Kejela, Taye GebreGiorgis and Yeneneh Bizuneh to serve 3 years and 11 months of rigorous prison term and ordered each to pay 2,000 Birr fine. While Tsehay Bahita and Sintayehu Eshete each received 4 years and five months of rigorous imprisonment and 20,000 Birr in fine.

Commission’s staffs celebrate 6^th Nations, Nationalities, Peoples’ Day

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) colorfully celebrated the 6^th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day on December 6, 2011 with a symposium held at the Ethiopian National Theater.

Opening the symposium, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said the Day marked the endorsement of the constitution that enshrined the rights of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, who were abandoned of their rights in past regimes.

Accordingly, he said the constitution is a base for peace, development, unity and sovereignty. As every civil servant staff members of the Commission should obey and respect the constitution, he added.

Thorough discussion was made on the queries raised by staff members and stakeholders on the paper presented about Ethiopian Constitution on the occasion.

The 6^th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day was marked at national level under the theme “Our Constitution foundation for our diversity, unity and renaissance”.

Corruptors get 10 years behind bars for serious fraud

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 1^st Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on November 22, 2011 sentenced two individuals to serve 10 years behind bars for a charge of serious fraud and forgery brought against them by the Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC).

According to the charge, Konjit Desta and Mekonen Wolelaw, both business persons, illegally grabbed and sold 56,027, 689.60 Birr worth 32,320 square meters of land in the name of Hiwot Ber Housing Construction Cooperative.

The convicts forged government documents to get the stated land by falsely claiming that they were chairperson and secretary of the cooperative following the announcement made by the Addis Ababa City Administration in 1990 E.C for those legal housing construction cooperatives that didn’t get the land they requested, the charge said.

The individuals prepared fake site plan, location map, detailed plan, topology and other forged documents in the name of the cooperative by deleting the names of its legal members and instead they substituted 202 fabricated members.

Accordingly, since the convicts could not refute the evidences corroborated against them the Court gave them the above sentence for serious fraud and forgery.

Corruptors get 10 years behind bars for serious fraud

Accordingly, since the convicts could not refute the evidences corroborated against them the Court gave them the above sentence for serious fraud and forgery.

Commission arrests individuals for allegedly accepting bribes

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) caught red-handed three individuals while receiving 15,000 Birr in bribes on November 21, 2011.

Solomon Legesse, Manager of the South Addis Ababa Zone Transport Office, Zelalem Abiye, Driver’s License Renewal officer with the Office and Constable Abrhay Zerihun, a member of the Federal Police connived to get undue wealth by giving false Driver’s License to various individuals.

According to the investigation conducted by the FEACC, the individuals have been illegally issuing Driver’s Licenses to various people and demanded up to 20,000 Birr in return for each license.

The suspects were caught following the tip-off provided by the public regarding the issue.

Currently, the Commission is gathering all the necessary information on the case to press charges against the suspects.

Court sentences corruptor to rigorous imprisonment

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on November 25, 2011 gave an individual 8 years and five months of rigorous prison term and ordered him to pay 30,000 Birr in fine for committing serious breach of trust.

The charge filed by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) against the individual stated that, Demiss Teyim Mohamed, who was a store keeper at the Batu Construction Share Company, embezzled 253,515 Birr worth construction machineries and vehicles spare parts and 174 various properties.

Accordingly, the Court passed the above verdict after the convict failed to refute the evidences corroborated against him by Prosecutors of the Commission.

Commission arrests individual for allegedly accepting bribe

Addis Ababa (FEACC) – Investigators of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) caught red-handed, Endeshaw Gebrehiwot Haile, who was a Land Administration and Construction Permit Officer at the Woreda 1 Administration Office of the Lideta Sub-City while receiving 8,000 Birr in bribe on November 16, 2011.

The suspect demanded the stated sum from an individual who came to his office to get land ownership map saying since another person’s property is on the land he couldn’t issue the map unless the individual give the money for him and others who decide on the issue.

Accordingly, the suspect was caught red-handed while receiving the 8,000 Birr at a refreshment center adjacent to the Ethiopian National Theater following the tip-off provided to the FEACC by the victim.

The Commission is undertaking the necessary investigation that would enable it to press charge against the individual.

FEACC catches corruptor red-handed

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) caught a corruptor red-handed while receiving bribe.

Investigators of the Commission caught Daniel Asrat Zewdu, a former follow up and protection officer with the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) on November 7, 2011 while receiving 150,000 Birr in bribe.

The individual demanded the stated sum from a Travel Agency saying he would terminate a fabricated investigation being conducted by the Authority regarding vehicles inappropriately utilized by the Agency.

Accordingly, investigators of the Commission caught the corruptor red-handed following the tip-off they received from the Agency.

The FEACC is gathering the necessary information that would help it press charge against the individual.

Commission presses charges against former Beneshangul Gumuz Regional State President, other six suspects

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) on November 1, 2011 pressed charges against former Beneshangul Gumuz Regional State President, Yaregal Aysheshum and other six suspects for allegedly committing corruption offenses.

The other six suspects are Habtamu Hika, former Regional state’s Education bureau Head, Gedion Demeke, Owner and General Manager of Gedion Demeke Consultancy, Assefa Gebeyehu, Gezahegn Adgeh, General Manager of Gad Construction, Mekbib Moges, General Manager of Colon Construction and Hailegebriel Hika.

The charge filed against the defendants said the individuals allegedly tampered with the bid process for the construction of the Tana Beles Girls' Boarding School, Gilgel Beles Teachers' Training Education College and Assosa Technical and Vocational Training Institute, which were funded by the federal subsidy budget allocated in 2006.

According to the charge, Yaregal and Habtamu illegally handed over the three projects to Gedion Demeke Consultancy ignoring the fact that they should invite better candidates through open bid in accordance with the Regional State’s procurement directive.

The charge said Gedion and Assefa negotiated with Yaregal and Habtamu to pay the later 250,000 Birr for the design work and 10,000 Birr each month for contract administration. Yaregal and Habtamu also received 50,000 Birr and 75,000 Birr respectively from Gedion Demeke Consultancy.

Similarly, Gezahegn Adgeh, General Manager of Gad Construction illegally received the construction work for the Gilgel Beles Teachers' Training Education College and Tana Beles Girls' Boarding School by paying three million Birr to Yaregal and Habtamu.

The charge also stated that Mekbib Moges, General Manager of Colon Construction illegally received the construction work of Assosa Technical and Vocational Training Institute by negotiating with Yaregal and Habtamu to pay them 700,000 Birr.

The last defendant Hailegebriel Hika, who graduated from Addis Ababa University in 1996 E.C, was found to accumulate wealth beyond his means by being owner of 20 million Birr worth two private limited companies jointly with Habtamu.

The charge filed by the FEACC stated that according to the agreement, which was signed in 2006 the construction of the three projects was supposed to be completed within 13-18 months time, but the projects are still unfinished due to Yaregal’s alleged connivance with his accomplices and the contractors. Some seven million Birr was paid to the contractors out of the legal contractual agreement.

South Sudanese delegation pays working visit to FEACC

Addis Ababa (FEACC) A six-member delegation from South Sudan led by H.E. Johnny Saverio Ayik, Deputy Chairperson of South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission paid a working visit to the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) from October 31-November 4, 2011.

Heads of each Directorate within the FEACC gave briefings to the delegation about FEACC’s establishment and the activities so far executed by the Commission regarding ethics education expansion, corruption prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption offenses, coordination of ethics infrastructures, the duties of study and change management and the asset disclosure and registration activities being executed by the Commission.

Speaking at the conclusion of the five-day visit, delegation leader, H.E. Johnny Saverio Ayik said the visit has enabled the delegation to get a good experience that they should apply in their anti-corruption endeavor.

He also expressed his appreciation for the commitment and initiation demonstrated by the Ethiopian government and staff members of the FEACC in the fight against corruption.

Speaking on his part, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said as the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission was recently established, it has ample opportunities to draw lessons from the experience of countries that established anti-corruption institutions earlier.

The delegation on the occasion invited heads of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) to pay a similar visit to South Sudan.

Individual gets rigorous imprisonment for forgery

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on October 25, 2011 gave four years and four months of rigorous imprisonment to an individual for committing corruption offense.

The charge filed against him by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) states that, Getachew Tirku, a former employee at the Registrar of the Lideta sub-city Court with the Addis Ababa City 1^st Instance Court, abused his position to get illicit gains for himself and others.

The charge said Getachew forged government’s documents and imitate the signatures of judges to embezzle money and property posted as bail without the judges’ order at different times.

Since the convict failed to refute the charge brought against him, the Court sentenced him to serve four years and four months of rigorous prison terms.

Forum discusses HPR’s role in Commission’s anti-corruption endeavor

Addis Ababa (FEACC) A discussion forum aiming at identifying the role of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) and other stakeholders in the anti-corruption endeavor of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) was held here on October 26, 2011.

Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Addisu Mengistu gave briefings on the activities that should be executed by the Commission in collaboration with other institutions in a bid to accomplish its objectives, the role that should be played by public offices to prevent corruption and impropriety and the role of the HPR and public offices regarding the matter.

The Deputy Commissioner also briefed participants about the Commission’s objectives and execution methods, the anti-corruption activities so far carried out by the FEACC, the objectives and responsibilities of ethics infrastructures, problems encountered by public offices in preventing corruption and support that should be provided by the HPR to strengthen the anti-corruption efforts of public offices, among others.

Following the briefing answers were provided to queries raised by participants of the discussion forum.

Members of some 16 Standing Committees of the House attended the discussion forum.

Commission organizes discussion forum to improve modules

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) organized a two-day discussion forum aiming at getting feedback on how to improve the training modules that it has been using to provide face-to-face ethics and anti-corruption education during the past four years.

In the discussion forum that was held here from October 27-28, 2011 participants thoroughly discussed on the modules the Commission has been using to provide training on the concept of corruption, preparation of ethics regulation, corruption offenses and corruption prevention strategies, among others.

Some 29 participants including coordinators of civic and ethics education clubs drawn from various schools, ethics officers who registered better performance using the modules to provide ethics and anti-corruption education and professionals drawn from various directorates of the Commission were in attendance at the discussion forum.

After holding a thorough discussion on the modules the participants reached consensus on the areas that need improvement.

Improving the modules was found to be necessary to update the modules by including the changes that occurred over the past four years and make corrections based on the challenges faced during the provision of training in the reported period.

Corruptor receives imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) An individual convicted of corruption charge as filed against him by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) was sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay 3,000 Birr in fine.

The corruption convict, Sileshi Nigussie was sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment and fine on October 24, 2011 for breach of trust by the ruling of the 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court.

The individual, a former Property Administration Officer with the Addis Ketema Branch of the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority, utilized properties valued at 147,116 Birr he received in the line of duty for his own personal interest.

Since the convict could not refute the evidences corroborated against him, the Court sentenced him to serve 5 years of rigorous prison term and ordered him to pay 3000 Birr in fine.

Commission, Transparency Ethiopia organize panel

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and Transparency Ethiopia organized a panel discussion entitled “Corruption and ethical problems observed in government procurement” here on October 6, 2011.

Opening the panel, Director of Ethics Education and Communications Affairs Directorate with the Commission, Birhanu Assefa said the panel discussion is aiming at sharing experiences on how to prevent corruption offences committed in the sector.

After presenting a relevant paper, Director of Study and Capacity Building Directorate with the Federal Public Procurement and Property Administration Agency, Nebiyu Kokeb provided briefings, among others, on the feature of public procurement, ethical problems observed in public procurement and provisions included in government procurement and property administration proclamation number 649/2009 aiming at preventing corruption.

Some 51 participants drawn from various public offices attended the panel discussion.

15 corruptors receive jail terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on September 9, 2011 sentenced some 15 individuals to up to eight years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered them to pay fine for committing a corruption offense that caused the government to lose 13,457,694 Birr.

The Court passed the verdict on the convicts, who were former employees of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority, importers and transit workers.

According to the charges pressed against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), the individuals abused their positions and caused the government to lose 13,457,694 Birr it should have collected from the tax of imported goods.

The charge especially brought against, Tsega Mulatu, a former System Supervisor with the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority, stated that the individual is convicted of erasing government’s documents to hide the fact that the proper tax was not paid for the imported goods.

Accordingly, the Court gave the 15 convicts rigorous prison terms ranging from 4-8 years and ordered them to pay 2000-5000 Birr in fine.

Commission arrests suspect

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) arrested a suspect who tried to escape by inflicting damage on the Commission’s investigator on October 5, 2011.

The suspect, Ketema Bacha, was one of the suspects the Commission pressed charges for utilizing 100,000 Birr valued metals imported for the construction of Gilgel Gibe Hydroelectric Power Project for their own personal interest.

However, after the suspect was released on bail, he refused to appear before the Court of law to follow up his case.

While investigators of the Commission tried to arrest the individual in accordance with the Court’s order, he tried in vain to escape by inflicting the damage on one of the Commission’s investigators. But another investigator and traffic police have managed to arrest him.

The individual is currently in custody.

Commissioner holds discussion with Ugandan Inspector General of government

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Ali Sulaiman on September 13, 2011 held discussion with the Ugandan Inspector General of Government, Mr. Raphael Obudra Baku.

Commissioner Ali and Heads of each Directorate within the FEACC briefed Mr. Baku on the Commission’s activities regarding anti-corruption education expansion, corruption prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption offenses and asset disclosure and registration, among others.

After the briefing, the Inspector General said the fact that the Commission has two sections of prosecutors, one to build and organize cases against offenders at office, while the other to take the cases to court, is quite a good experience to share from Ethiopia.

Mr. Baku said the fact that the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia has designated three benches for corruption related offenses is also a good experience for his country.

The Inspector General also gave briefings on Uganda’s experience in fighting corruption. He also expressed his country’s readiness to share its experience to Ethiopia concerning asset disclosure and registration.

The Uganda Inspectorate of Government is an institution that combines the mandate of an Ombudsman and anti-corruption in Uganda.

Forum holds 2^nd joint conference

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Democratic Institutions Cooperation and Consultation Forum, established by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman, held its second Regular Conference here on September 8, 2011.

Participants of the joint conference discussed on the draft proclamations to revise the Revised Proclamation for the Establishment of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Revised Proclamation to Provide for Special Procedure and Rules of Evidence on Anti-Corruption, among others.

As some provisions of the proclamations lack clarity and hard for implementation, it was deemed necessary to revise them, it was noted in the conference.

Heads drawn from the three Democratic Institutions and representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) were in attendance at the conference.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission would host the meetings of the joint conference to be held in 2004 Ethiopian Budget year.

Dire Dawa Administration Officials register asset

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Some 200 officials and appointees of the Dire Dawa City Administration registered their assets in an event held at the Administration’s conference hall on September 30, 2011.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, both House Speakers and President of Urban Affairs Court are among the city officials and appointees who disclosed their assets.

Speaking at the event, Mayor of the City Administration, Ased Ziyad said registration of asset has a paramount importance to increase transparency and accountability.

The Mayor also expressed the Administration’s readiness for the success of the asset disclosure and registration endeavor.

Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Ali Sulaiman on his part said the Commission attaches due attention for the success of the asset disclosure and registration by the Dire Dawa City Administration officials as the experience set example to other institutions within the administration.

FEACC, MoE organize panel discussion

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) jointly organized a panel discussion aimed at curbing procurement related corruption offenses committed in higher education institutions from October 3-4, 2011.

Two papers were presented on corruption offenses committed during the procurement of construction materials and supply of food items in higher education institutions during the course of the panel discussion.

Opening the panel, the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) Commissioner, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said one of the reasons for organizing the panel discussion was that the Commission has received several tip-offs regarding corruption offenses committed in construction related activities and in the bidding process for the supply of food items for students in higher education institutions.

Commissioner Ali said since education is one of the priority areas of the Growth and Transformation Plan, the government is allocating a large amount of budget for construction purposes and supply of food items served in cafeterias for students. Hence, it is crucial to fight corruption to help the government achieve its goal, he said.

The Commissioner said the panel discussion is aimed at identifying corrupt practices in higher education institutions and get constructive feedback that would enable to tackle the problem.

Education Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonen on his part said officials of higher education institutions need to ensure that the large amount of budget allocated for the institutions should be efficiently utilized for the intended purpose.

Participants including presidents and deputy presidents of higher education institutions, auditors, ethics officers, representatives of relevant public offices and various associations were in attendance at the panel discussion.

Commission arrests former Benishangul Gumuz Regional State President

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The former President of the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Yaregal Aysheshum was arrested on October 20, 2011 for alleged corruption offenses he committed while still in power.

The Commission has been investigating the former State Chief since September last year.

Yaregal, who is a Member of Parliament and Director-General of the Federal Cooperative Unions Agency, was arrested following the decision passed by the House of Peoples’ Representatives to strip off his immunity right on October 18, 2011 as per the request of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC).

Yaregal was arrested for allegedly tampering with the bid process for the construction of the Tana Beles Girls' Boarding School, Gilgel Beles Teachers' Training Education College and Assosa Technical and Vocational Training Institute, which were funded by the federal subsidy budget allocated in 2006.

According to the agreement, which was signed in 2006 the construction of the schools was supposed to be completed within 13 months time, but the projects are still unfinished due to Yaregal’s alleged connivance with his accomplices, the former Head of the State’s Education Bureau, Habtamu Hika and contractors to gain illicit wealth. Some seven million Birr was paid to the contractors out of the legal contractual agreement.

The Commission’s investigation also revealed that there are evidences that show Yaregal used to live beyond his means.

The former Head of the State Education Bureau, Habtamu Hika, who is already in custody and the contractors, are under investigation.

4 corruptors receive prison terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court on May 23, 25 and 30 gave four individuals prison terms ranging from 3 to 10 years and fined them up to 10,000 Birr each for committing corruption offences.

Nesredin Omar, a former Administration Chief with Kebele 08 of Dire Dawa city and Deputy Sajin Shami Aley, a former Community Policing Officer were charged for abusing their power to gain unlawful personal interest.

According to the charge filed against them by the Dire Dawa Branch of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), the convicts wrote a forged eviction notice to an individual who lived in the house he legally received from the Government Housing Agency and they asked the individual to give them 7,000 Birr so that they could make him retain the house.

Similarly, the Court sentenced Befikru Adane, a former Micro Enterprise Association expert with Kebele 02 of the Dire Dawa city for forging bank cheques and withdraw 30,550 Birr from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

The Court also sentenced Teshome Tadesse, a former Warehouse Head of the Lagar Customs Branch of the Dire Dawa City Administration Customs Authority for utilizing 71 Nokia mobile phones worth 110.687 Birr for his own personal interest.

As the convicts could not refute the evidences collaborated against them, the Court on May 30, 2011 sentenced Nesredin Omar to serve four years and two months of rigorous prison terms and fined him 10,000 Birr, it has also sentenced Deputy Sarjin Shami Aley three and a half years rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay 8,000 Birr in fine.

Similarly, the Court on May 23, 2011 gave Befikru Adane five and a half years of imprisonment. It has also sentenced Teshome Tadesse to serve 10 years of rigorous prison terms and fined him 10,000 Birr on May 25, 2011.

3 million Birr worth urban plot returned to government

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on July 28, 2011 ordered the transfer of urban plot of land worth close to three million Birr acquired by corruption to government ownership.

The Court ordered the transfer of 2271.36 square meters of land which is estimated to worth close to three million Birr to government’s ownership and sentenced three individuals who were involved in the corruption offence.

According to the charges pressed against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC), Meseret Tesfaye, who was Coordinator of Cooperative Associations Coordination section with the Kolfe-Keranio Sub-City connived with Kedir Hassen, a businessman to illegally grab the stated land for their own personal interest.

The charge said Meseret Tesfaye and Kedir Hassen utilized a fictitious housing cooperative named “Be’edget Andinet 33 Condominium Houses Cooperative” for the same purpose by deliberately trespassing City Government’s guidelines concerning land acquirement of housing cooperatives.

The two individuals prepared a list of fictitious cooperative members and made Temoges Wolde-Melak, Team Leader of Cooperative Associations Coordination section with the Sub-City to put his signature on it.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced Meseret and Kedir to serve five years of rigorous prison terms and fined them 7,000 Birr each as they could not defend the evidences corroborated against them. The Court also gave Temoges two months of imprisonment for negligence.

Commission arrests 33 corruption suspects

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The investigation and prosecution of 33 individuals arrested in connection with corruption offences since July 8, 2011 to September 21, 2011 is well underway by the Federal Ethics and Anti- corruption Commission (FEACC).

The suspects include Habtamu Hika, Chairman of the Benishangul Gumuz State Ruling Party, who is also the State’s House Speaker, Federal Supreme Court Judges, Police officers, Woreda Land Administration employees, businessmen and government employees.

The suspects were arrested in connection with taking bribe, breach of trust, abuse of power, embezzlement and other related corruption offences.

Some 10 of the suspects were released on bail to pursue their Court case while the remaining 23 suspects will pursue their case from prison.

Commission celebrates 10^th year anniversary

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) celebrated its 10^th year establishment anniversary in July-August 2011 with various assortments.

The events organized to commemorate the anniversary include talk-show, teleconference, a photograph exhibition depicting the activities executed by the Commission over the past ten years, public parade and workshops.

The Commission has celebrated its 10^th year establishment anniversary by attaching due attention to promoting the activities it has executed to the public and demonstrating the Commission’s readiness to accomplish what is expected of it in the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan.

The celebration is also aiming at informing ethics infrastructures and the public in general that the anti-corruption struggle needs the relentless participation of all citizens and facilitate ways to enhance their participation in it.

Speaking at a meeting organized on July 29, 2011 in connection with the celebration, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Addisu Mengistu said the government has showed unwavering commitment to support the anti-corruption endeavor. He said the achievement so far gained by the anti-corruption endeavor is the collective effort of the government, the public and heads and staff members of the Commission.

The Deputy Commissioner on the occasion urged heads and staff members of the Commission to launch concerted efforts to thwart corruption from hampering the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan of the country.

Staff members of the FEACC, members of the Ethiopian Scout Association and the Federal Police Marching Band participated in the public parade, which was held on July 30, 2011 from Arat Kilo Martyrs Monument to the National Theatre.

A ten-day exhibition that depicts the Commission’s ten years activities was also opened at the National Theater on the same day.

The Commission also produced and distributed various publication including posters, fliers, magazines and brochures in connection with the celebration.

Commission launches BSC Implementation

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) in August 2011 launched the implementation of Balanced Score Card (BSC) after six months of preparation.

Before its official launching on August 25 in a symbolic event where Commissioner Ali Sulaiman exchanged the BSC document with every Directorate Head.

Currently the Commission’s Strategic Plan based on the BSC document is being handed over to various teams within Directorates.

According to the Commission’s Research and Change Management Directorate, follow up and review mechanism will soon be put in place in a bid to support the proper implementation of the Strategic Plan.

The implementation of the BSC based Strategic Plan is believed to enhance the Commission’s execution capacity, its coverage and customer satisfaction.

Commission, World Bank sign MoU

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and World Bank on October 4, 2011 signed an agreement to cooperate in combating fraud and corruption in World Bank Group financed projects.

Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman and Representative of World Bank’s Integrity Vice President, Leonard F. McCarthy signed the agreement representing their respective institutions.

According to the agreement the two parties would provide one another with information of relevance for the detection, substantiation and prevention of fraud and corruption in connection with conduct which may constitute a serious crime under national legislation or a sanctionable offence under World Bank Group rules and policies.

The two parties also agreed to undertake joint activities and collaborate when appropriate in each party’s efforts to detect, substantiate and prevent fraud and corruption.

The MoU is signed in accordance with the agreement reached by countries to cooperate with the World Bank under the Corruption Hunters Alliance.
It is to be recalled that the Commission has provided the necessary support to the World Bank in the conducting of the Diagnostic Study which aims at assessing the proper execution of World Bank financed projects in Ethiopia in the areas of education, construction, health, telecom,mining, water, land administration and justice system
In a similar development, the World Bank has expressed its appreciation for the dedicated coordination and perseverance the FEACC has demonstrated in combating fraud and corruption in World Bank Group financed projects.

Corporation takes over Sheba Steel Mills

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Metal Works Engineering Corporation has taken over temporary administration of Sheba Steel Mills Plc, which was indicted by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) for committing corruption offence.

The administration of the Steel Mills is transferred to the Corporation since the FEACC has pressed charges against Sheba Steel Mills Plc for allegedly causing the government to lose 65,336,214 Birr in connection with an electric power consumption fraud.

The steel factory had cut its production in the past nine months when the Company’s owner Goliham Abase and the management abruptly left the country.

As of the 1^st of August2011 the Federal High Court has ordered the state owned Metal Corporation to temporarily manage the Steel Mills to pay back owed taxes to Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) and various individuals and companies.

Based on this decision the Sheba Steel Mills will commence its production under the Corporation.

Corrupter receives 18 years of rigorous imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 1^st Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced an individual who was found guilty of committing corruption offense to 18 years of rigorous imprisonment on August 24, 2011. It has also ordered the convict to pay fine.

The charge pressed by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) against the individual said, Etaferahu Fite, a former Cahier at the Revenue Department with the Finance and Economic Development Bureau of the Addis Ketema Sub-City, embezzled a total of 2,230,000 Birr for her own personal interest.

The convict embezzled the stated sum she collected in the line of duty by forging government’s documents, the charge stated.

As the individual failed to refute the charge pressed against her, the Court gave her 18 years of rigorous prison term and ordered her to pay 50,000 Birr in fine.

Court sentences corruptors for illegal grab of 61 million Birr worth land

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Individuals convicted of corruption charges as filed against them by the Prosecution Section of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) was sentenced to rigorous prison term ranging from four years and five months to eight years and five months. It has also ordered them to pay 1500 -7,000 Birr in fine.

The charge said some eight corruption convicts were sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment and fine on August 31, 2011 for illegal grabbing of a total of 33,775 square meters of land which is estimated to worth 60,999,854 Birr by the ruling of the 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court.

Zemenawi Fikir, who was a former employee at the Kolfe-Keraniyo Sub-City, connived with Mengistu Degefe, Girma Ashenafi, Mulat Derso, Fikadu Admassu and Solomon Ketema to grab 32, 640 square meters of urban land which is estimated to worth 59,157,758 Birr using a phony housing cooperative.

The charge states that the convicts committed the corruption offence by forging government’s documents and imitating the signatures of relevant officials.

Having failed to refute the charges brought against them by the Commission, Zemenawi, Mengistu and Fikadu each were handed six years of rigorous imprisonment and 5,000 Birr fine. While Girma and Mulat each received six and a half years rigorous prison term and 5,500 Birr fine. The Court sentenced Solomon to eight years and five months of imprisonment and 7,000 Birr in fine in absentia.

The Court also ordered the transfer of the illegally grabbed 32, 640 square meters of land to government’s ownership.

Similarly, the Court also sentenced Meseret Tesfaye, who was Coordinator of Cooperative Associations Coordination section with the Kolfe-Keranio Sub-City and Kamil Ahmed, a businessman in connection with the illegal grabbing of 1,135 square meters of land, which is estimated to worth 1,842,096 Birr.

According to the charge pressed by the Commission Meseret connived with Kedir Hassen, to illegally grab the stated land for their personal interest utilizing a non-existent housing cooperative.

As the individuals could not defend the charge, the Court sentenced Meseret to four years and five months of rigorous imprisonment and 1,500 Birr fine. It has also gave Kamil four years and five months of rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay 2000 Birr in fine.

The Court also ordered the transfer of the illegally grabbed land to government’s ownership.

Court gives jail terms, fine to corruptors

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on August 3, 2011 has convicted two individuals accused by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) for committing corruption offences.

The charge said Shumet Setarge connived with three members of the Federal Police and an individual, who were already received verdict by the Court, robbed money and other valuables from an individual.

The culprits threatened and robbed 464,800 USD, jewelries, clothing and other properties from Yenus Yasin, who was arriving at the Bole International Airport from Saudi Arabia on May 10, 2006.

According to the charge, the convicts unlawfully arrested Yunus claiming that he was on the list of people wanted by the government. Then Convicts drove the individual out of the Airport and later moved him to another vehicle that belongs to the Federal Police Commission, the charge says.

Accordingly, the Court gave Shumet Setarge eight years of rigorous prison terms and ordered him to pay 25,000 Birr in fine for abuse of power.

Similarly, the Court sentenced Mekuria Molla, a former employee of the Adama Branch of the Ethiopian Customs Authority, for using 26,450 Birr worth edible oil for his own personal interest.

Since the convict could not defend the evidences collaborated against him by the Commission, the Court handed him out five years of rigorous imprisonment and 5,000 Birr in fine for serious breach of trust.

Court sends 34 corruptors to prison

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on August 16, 2011 gave 34 individuals prison terms and fine for charges of corruption brought against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC).

The convicts were accused of misusing public office for illicit personal gains and forging government’s documents that caused the latter lose significant amount of money.

According to the charges, eight of the convicts, who were Team Leaders and Staff Members of Trade, Industry and Transport Department of the Adama and Bishoftu towns in Oromia Regional State, misused their power with the intention of getting illicit gains for themselves and other 26individuals.

A financial loss amounting 1,755,585 Birr has been incurred on the government due to the corruption offense committed by the culprits in connection with duty-free imported vehicles. The convicts also utilized six vehicles illegally imported to the country.

As they were unable to refute the charges, the Court gave 25 of the convicts five and a half years of rigorous prison terms and ordered each to pay 8,000 Birr in fine. While seven convicts received three years and nine months of rigorous imprisonment and 5,500 Birr fine. The remaining two corruptors were sentenced to serve three years of rigorous imprisonment and were fined 3,500 Birr each.

The Court also ordered the 10 vehicles obtained through corruption to be transferred to the ownership of the government.

Corrupt or receives prison term, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on August 2, 2011, sentenced an individual who was found guilty of serious breach of trust to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined her 15,000 Birr.

Tigist Deribe, who had served as a revenue collector at the Ethiopian Customs Authority Head Office from August 10, 1997 E.C-April 25, 1998 E.C budget years embezzled a total of 77,500.76 Birr belonging to the government.

The culprit embezzled 60,000 Birr of her employer’s money by adding number 6 in the slip she used to deposit 6,205.90 Birr. The individual also utilized 17,500.76 Birr she collected from customers at various times for her own personal interest.

The Court passed the above verdict as the individual failed to defend the evidence corroborated against her by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), which had brought the charge of corruption against her.

Commission organizes exhibition

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) organized an exhibition that depicts its ten years activities at the National Theater from July 30- August 8, 2011.

Head of the Office of the Prime Minister and also Minister of Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Muktar Kedir opened the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Commission has undertaken encouraging activities in spearheading and coordinating the anti-corruption struggle in the country.

More than 2,600 people from all walks of life visited the ten-day exhibition.

Former ETC manager, associates receive up to 9 years rigorous imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Former Manager of Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) and his close associates received rigorous imprisonment ranging from five and a half years- nine years and fine on August 24, 2011.

Tesfaye Birru, former ETC Manager, Asfaw Hailemariam, former Information Technology Data Service section head with ETC, Akalu Alemu, former ICP section head with ETC, Kibret Alemayehu, Planning deputy head with ETC and Abayneh Abebe, former Customers Service section head with the Corporation were accused by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) for committing corruption offense.

The charge said the convicts awarded projects to foreign companies and conducted illegal foreign purchases in connection with a broad band internet expansion project.

Though the Corporation had an internal audit committee, the convicts abused their decision making power and awarded a total of 43,191 USD of task to two foreign companies, according to the charge.

The convicts illegally benefitted another company by giving it 17,375 USD in the pretext that it would provide the Corporation consultancy service in connection with the project.

The charge stated that the culprits also made the government to lose 6,679,918 USD by signing inappropriate procurement agreement

Accordingly, the 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced Tesfaye, Akalu and Abayneh to serve five and a half years of rigorous prison term and ordered each to pay 7,000 Birr in fine. It also gave Asfaw and Kibret nine years of rigorous imprisonment and 40,000 Birr in fine in absentia.

Corruptor receives 6 years imprisonment for serious breach of trust

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on August 24, 2011 sent an individual to jail for committing serious breach of trust.

The charge filed against him by the Federal Ethics and Anti- corruption Commission (FEACC) states that, Yohannes Kassa, a former Property Administration Officer with the Bole Sub City Branch of the Addis Ababa Housing Development Agency, has illegally utilized 654 quintals of cement worth 195,000 Birr for his own personal interest.

Accordingly, the Court gave Yohannes six years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 5,000 Birr.

Commission, Association sign MoU

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and Ethiopian Association of Consulting Engineers and Architects on September 23, 2011 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prevent corruption and improprieties in the construction sector.

Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman and Association President, Eshete Mulat singed the MoU representing their respective institutions.

According to the MoU, the two parties would cooperate to prevent corruption and improprieties in the construction sector by conducting studies and executing various capacity building activities.

The Commission and the Association have agreed to apply various information communication technologies that would have a vital importance to prevent corruption and improprieties in the sector. The two parties also agreed to expand ethics education among members of the Association.

Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner Ali said though the Commission is spearheading the national anti-corruption struggle, it is the public that should play a significant role in fighting the evil deed.

The Commissioner appreciated the Association’s readiness to collaborate with the Commission for the same purpose.

President of the Association on his part said the MoU would have a vital contribution for the success of ongoing effort to prevent corruption and improprieties among professionals engaged in the sector by providing relevant training and follow-up.

National Anti-corruption Coalition holds 1^st General Conference

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 1^st General Conference of the National Anti-corruption Coalition was held on August 4, 2011 here at the Hilton Hotel.

Opening the conference, Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, H.E. Abadula Gemeda said the anti-corruption struggle would not be successful without the active participation of all segments of the society.

He said the Coalition, which comprises government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector and opposition political parties, has a significant contribution to coordinate the activities of stakeholders engaged in the fight against corruption.

According to the Speaker, though the Coalition has carried out encouraging anti-corruption activities over the past two years a lot is still expected from it.

Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman on his part stressed the significance of involving the public in the fight against corruption.

Research papers on the experience of anti-corruption coalitions of different countries, the 2003-2004 E.C. Coalition’s performance report and Coalition’s four-year strategic plan were presented and discussion was made on them during the course of the conference.

The National Anti-Corruption Coalition was established upon the conclusion of a founding conference held on the 4^th July 2009 in the presence of almost all stakeholders including President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Girma Woldegiorgis.

The Coalition that comprises government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector and opposition political parties has 151 seats and 16 executive committee members.

4^th National Flag Day celebrated

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) colorfully celebrated the 4^th National Flag Day on September 26, 2011 on the premises of the Commission.

Speaking at the occasion, Ethics Education and Communications Affairs Directorate with the Commission, Birhanu Asefa said the National Flag is the symbol of Ethiopians unity, sovereignty and national pride.

He said this year’s National Flag Day should be celebrated with a commitment to free the country from poverty and backwardness and implement the five years Growth and Transformation Plan thereby realizing Ethiopia's renaissance.

The event was accompanied by flag hoisting ceremony, a pledge to further strengthen our development endeavors to realize the renaissance of Ethiopia and a relevant discussion.

This year’s National Flag Day is celebrated throughout the country for the 4^th time under the theme “Our Flag and the Grand Renaissance Dam are Our National Pride”. Ethiopia began celebrating the National Flag Day annually since the 5^th of July 2008 which was the first in its kind throughout its history.

Commission presents 2003 E.C performance report, 2004 E.C plan

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) presented its 2003 E.C performance report and 2004 E.C. plan of the Commission for discussion here on August 25, 2011.

Staff members of the FEACC held thorough discussion on the activities carried out by the Commission in the areas of expanding ethics education, preventing corruption offences, investigating and prosecuting corruption offences in the 2003 E.C budget year.

The launching of the implementation of Balanced Score Card (BSC) in August 2011 and the preparation of a four-year (2004-2007) Strategic Plan based on the BSC was among the major activities executed in the budget year.

A joint national strategic plan based on the Growth and Transformation Plan of the government was prepared in collaboration with Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions, it was noted on the occasion.

Regarding the expansion of ethics and anti-corruption education, Training of Trainers (ToT) was provided to more than 2000 professionals drawn from various offices of the Addis Ababa City Administration, institutions that created a forum with the Commission, higher education institutions, public offices and public enterprises. Awareness raising orientations was also offered to more than 29,000 people in the reported period.

Concerning corruption prevention, some 38 studies conducted on the working procedures of public offices and enterprises were sent to their relevant offices for implementation, while immediate studies were also conducted on 13 issues in the reported period.

With regard to asset disclosure and registration, the Commission has registered the assets of more than 18,000 registrants.

During the period under review, the FEACC has received more than 3000 tip-offs. The Commission has prosecuted various corruption offences and some 278 of the offenders received verdict. The Commission’s conviction rate for the reported period is 86.8.

The FEACC has also enabled 8.7 million Birr, 192,152 sq. meters of land and four automobiles obtained through corruption to be transferred to the ownership of the government through Court order.

The Commission has utilized 45,308,319 Birr of the 47,124,113 Birr allocated for it by the government and Democratic Institutions Program (DIP) for the budget year.

In general the Commission has registered encouraging performance in the 2003 E.C. budget year, it was noted on the occasion.

The staff members also held discussions on the 2004 E.C plan of the Commission.

Court sentences individual for fraud offence

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the federal High Court on August 17 2011 sentenced a corrupt individual for committing serious fraud.

According to the charge filed against Mohammed-Wordi Kassim by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), the individual falsified legal documents, changed his identity and withdrew 156,213 Birr at various times from the Buta Jira and Tabor Branches of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to gain illicit wealth.

He also tried to withdraw 51,506 Birr in a forged check from Misrak and Bole Medhanealem Branches of the United Bank.

The Court has sentenced the convict to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 2,000 Birr, as he could not defend the corroborated evidences against him.

Workshop commemorating 10^th year anniversary of FEACC held here

Addis Ababa (FEACC) A day-long workshop aiming at commemorating the 10^th year establishment anniversary of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) was held on August 5, 2011 here at the Hilton hotel.

Addressing the workshop, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn said the Commission has executed encouraging activities in the fight against corruption over the past ten years by involving the public.

The Minister on the occasion reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide all the necessary support to the Commission’s anti-corruption drive.

Speaking on his part, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said the Commission would do its level best to continue the fight against corruption in a strengthened manner.

Presentations on the major performances of the FEACC over the past decade and impact assessment of the Commission’s performances in the reported period were presented and discussion was held on them during the course of the workshop.

The workshop was attended by representatives of various public enterprises, members of the National Coalition Against Corruption, heads of civic and ethics clubs, presidents of higher learning institutions, donors and religious leaders, among others.

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia established the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) in May 2001 to tackle corruption and impropriety.

Study: Commission executes encouraging activities in nine years

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) has carried out encouraging anti-corruption activities over the past nine years, an Impact Assessment Study conducted by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) said.

The Impact Assessment Study was conducted in accordance with the agreement the two parties signed in August 2010.

Speaking at a press conference held on August 19, 2011, Director of Corruption Prevention Directorate with the Commission, Aklilu Mulugeta said the impact assessment study is aimed at assessing the activities executed and the achievements registered by the Commission in the areas of ethics and anti-corruption education expansion, corruption prevention as well as in investigation and prosecution of various corruption cases over the last nine years.

The Director said the Commission has chosen the Addis Ababa University (AAU) to conduct the study as the University has a great experience and reputation in conducting various studies and researches.

The study is expected to provide vital input for the success of the activities to be executed by the Commission, he said.

According to the scholars who participated in the study, some 210 public offices and enterprises, media institutions, civic associations, religious institutions and non-governmental organizations were covered by the study. Some 3048 people from different walks of life also took part in the study by answering queries.

They said the Impact Assessment Study indicated that the Commission has carried out encouraging activities over the past nine years in fighting corruption and improprieties.

Some 10 professionals participated in conducting the study.

4 corruptors receive prison terms, fine

Commission registers assets of more than 18,000 elected persons, political appointees, public servants

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) has registered the assets of more than 18,000 elected persons, political appointees and public servants from December 1, 2010- July 12, 2011.

The Commission, which is in charge of the assets registration has registered the assets of the stated number of elected persons, political appointees and public servants following the implementation of the assets disclosure and registration proclamation No. 668/2002.

Since the FEACC has provided awareness raising orientations on the proclamation and the significance of the assets registration in advance, the registrants have been cooperating for the success of the assets registration endeavor.

The Commission has already launched activities to register the assets of additional 8,273 elected persons, political appointees and public servants.

After the completion of the registration of all concerned bodies the Commission would start disclosing relevant information.

Commission provides training to more than 16,000 graduating students

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (FEACC) said it has offered awareness raising training to more than 16,000 graduating students of various higher learning institutions.

Professionals of the Commission provided the training mainly focusing on the concept of corruption and ethics to the stated number of graduating students of some 11 Universities in the last quarter of the previous Ethiopian budget year.

It is believed that the training would enable the graduates to contribute their share in the national combat against corruption and improprieties.

The training was provided to graduating students of Jimma, Hawassa, Arba-Minch, Mekele, Haromaya, Wolaita-Sodo, Debre-Markos, Semera, Bahir-Dar, Dilla and Gondar Universities. Some 3,000 of the training beneficiaries were female students.

The Commission has a plan to provide similar trainings to graduating students of all Universities in the Country in the current Ethiopian budget year.

Corruptor receives 12 years of imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal High Court on June 10, 2011 gave an individual prison terms and fine for committing corruption offence.

According to the charge brought against him by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), Mesfin Awgachew, a former employee of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, committed serious breach of trust.

The charge said the individual abused his position in the Authority to embezzle expensive national heritages including more than 968.7 Kg of ivory, 3,596 various jewelries made of ivory, three rhino horns and two lion teeth.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced the convict to serve 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay 3000 Birr in fine.

Commissions hold 10^thJoint Conference in Jijiga

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 10^th Joint Conference of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and other judicial organs was held in Jijiga Town from June 9-10, 2011.

Conference Attendants heard and held thorough discussion on the report of the implementation of decisions passed during the 9^th Regular Joint Conference and the first half of 2003 E.C. budget year national anti-corruption activities report.

They also discussed the draft Proclamation on corruption offences committed in the private sector, Draft Proclamation presented to amend the Revised Commission’s Establishment Proclamation, Draft Proclamation presented to amend the Revised Special Procedure and Rules of Evidence and the National Anti-Corruption Draft Strategic Plan.

Some 51 Heads of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), Commissioners and heads of the eight Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and Police Commissioners drawn from Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa City Administrations and Afar and Somali Regional States were in attendance at the two-day Conference.

Commission participates in workshop on Harmonizing Procurement Policies

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) through its representative has participated on a workshop aimed at Harmonizing Procurement Policies for Effective Regional Integration in East Africa held here from June 8-10, 2011 at the UNECA Conference Center.

The workshop that was organized by the World Bank was aimed at addressing procurement policy challenges affecting regional projects that involve multiple countries and establish a forum of public procurement professionals and practitioners within the African region.

At the end of the workshop the members agreed that a steering committee consisting of the World Bank, African Union, the African Development Bank, regional organizations such as COMESA and regional organizations be formed to spearhead the follow-up on the recommendations made and report on the progress made in implementing the recommendations at the next workshop

Some 81 participants drawn from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda were in attendance at the workshop.

FEACC receives Certificate of excellence

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) received certificate of excellence by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for being an outstanding implementing partner of UNDP’s Democratic Institutions Program (DIP) in 2010.

After evaluating program implementation and budget utilization in the seven DIP implementing partner government institutions, UNDP awarded the ‘‘Outstanding Implementing Partner’’ certificate to the FEACC.

UNDP Representative, Mintwab Zelelew handed over the Certificate to Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman.

The Commission’s success in the implementation of the program is attributed to the commitment of its heads, staff members and Coordinators of DIP in the Commission.

DIP is a five-year program defined to enhance the capacity of governmental democratic institutions and strengthen their institutional framework in making them able to fulfill their task in the democratization process of the nation.

The seven implementing partner government institutions to promote democratization of the nation are the House of People’s Representatives and Regional Councils (HoPR), the House of Federations and Regional Councils (HoF), Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Ethiopian Institute of the Ombudsman (EIO), the Federal Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (FEACC), the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia and the Office of the Federal and Regional Auditor Generals.

Senior Officials of City Administration disclose assets

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Senior Officials of the Addis Ababa City Administration including Mayor of the city disclosed their assets in a ceremony held on June 23, 2011 at the Conference Hall of the City Administration.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Addisu Mengistu lauded the Administration for supporting the ongoing struggle against corruption by adopting various anti-corruption laws and for putting in place proper follow up on their implementations.

He said as the achievement of the asset disclosure and registration activity being carried out in Addis Ababa would set a good example, the Commission would provide all the necessary support for the same purpose.

The Deputy Commissioner called on Officials of the City Administration to further strengthen their support for the success of the asset disclosure and registration endeavor.

Mayor of the Addis Ababa City Administration, H.E. Kuma Demeksa on his part said the asset disclosure and registration is part of the national anti-corruption struggle.

He said the success of the disclosure and registration of assets would contribute its share for the realization of the five-year national Growth and Transformation Plan.

Some 77 senior officials of the Administration, executives and managers of various Sub-Cities have registered their assets on the occasion.

Second national corruption survey launched

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The second national corruption survey was launched here on July 25, 2011.

The survey would be conducted by Kilimanjaro International, an international consultant with the fund secured from the World Bank.

The survey, which would focus on residents, members of the business community, public offices and enterprises, religious institutions and NGO’s, would be carried out in all Regional States and the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa City Administrations.

Some 7,000 individuals are expected to participate in the survey.

The Commission called upon stakeholders and the public in general to contribute their share for the success of the national survey.

The first national corruption survey was conducted by the Addis Ababa University in 2001.

Parliament approves Commissioner’s appointment

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The House of People’s Representatives approved the appointment of commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC).

At its 34^th regular session held on June28, 2011, the House approved the appointment of H.E. Ali Sulaiman as Commissioner of the FEACC for the second time.

The House appointed the Commissioner taking into consideration his educational background and work experience.

Commissioner Ali has been serving as Commissioner of the FEACC since 1997 E.C.

13 corruptors receive imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Thirteen individuals convicted of corruption charges as filed against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) in connection with more than 222 million Birr worth illegal land grab was sentenced to jail terms ranging from 3 years and 11 months-12 years. They are also ordered to pay fines.

The 15^th Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on July 4, 2011 passed the guilty verdict on Wondosen Alemu, Lemma Degefe, Girma Gebreyes, Fisiha Hagos, La’ke Kiros, Fisiha Birle, Besifat Gizaw, Kumbi Taffa, Ararso Duleme, Mekonen Tessema, Gebremariam Fitwi, Alemayehu Tibebu and Dejene Mamo.

According to the charges, the convicts illegally grabbed and sold 89,000 square meters of land valued at 222,500,000 Birr located in Kolfe-Keraniyo Sub-City in the metropolis. The individuals used a non-existent housing construction association by forging documents for the same purpose.

Since the convicts had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against them, the Court gave Girma Gebreyes, Fisiha Hagos and Ararso Duleme 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered each to pay 7,000 Birr in fine in absentia. The Court also sentenced La’ke Kiros, Fisiha Birle, Besifat Gizaw, Kumbi Taffa, Mekonen Tessema and Gebremariam Fitwi to serve 8 years and four months of rigorous prison terms and fined them 7,000 Birr each.

The Court gave Alemayehu Tibebu and Dejene Mamo 3 years and 11 months of rigorous imprisonment and ordered each to pay 7,000 Birr in fine. Wondosen Alemu and Lemma Degefe also received 7 years of rigorous imprisonment and 10,000 Birr fine each.

Commission arrests alleged offender

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) on June 17, 2011 arrested alleged corruption offender for possession of money gained from unidentified sources.

The suspect, who was a judge at the Federal First Instance Court from July 2007-June 2010, has accumulated unlawful wealth while he was handling the cases of individuals who were accused of alleged VAT offenses.

An eight room modern villa, 265,000 Birr worth automobile, a Land Cruiser which is estimated to be 200,000 Birr and some 645,000 Birr cash are among the properties accumulated by the individual during the reported period.

Accordingly, the Commission has arrested the suspect following the tip-off it received from whistleblowers regarding the case, it was learned.

The Commission on the occasion called on the public to contribute its share for the national anti-corruption efforts by providing similar tips to the FEACC.

Corruptor receives prison terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on May 30, 2011 gave an individual five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 4,000 Birr for committing serious breach of trust.

The charge leveled by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) against Asmamaw Dolla, a former Customer Care Advocate in the Durame District of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), stated that the convict abused his position to embezzle 7,002 Birr in May 2009.

Accordingly, the court passed the above verdict against the individual as he could not defend the files corroborated against him.

Court sends five corruptors to prison

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal Supreme Court on May 25, 2011 sentenced five individuals to prison terms ranging from 5 and a half years to 7 and a half years and ordered them to pay fine for committing corruption offense.

According to the charges brought against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Samson Bekele, Genet Mamo, Yosef Kebede, Abdella Nesru and Mohammed Hussien committed corruption offenses in connection with illegal land grab in the Metropolis.

Samson Bekele, Genet Mamo and Yosef Kebede, who were employees of the Kolfe-Keranio Sub City with the Addis Ababa City Administration, abused their position for illicit personal gains.

The charges said the convicts illegally changed 1320 sq. meters of lease land owned by Abdella Nesru and Mohammed Hussien for 50 years of lease period to 99 years of lease period.

The corruption offense made the government to lose more than four million Birr it had to gain from the lease land.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced Samson Bekele, Genet Mamo, Yosef Kebede and Abdella Nesru to serve 5 and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered each to pay 7,500 Birr in fine. The Court also gave Mohammed Hussien 7 and a half years of rigorous prison terms and fined him 15,000 Birr in absentia.

Court gives prison terms, fine to corruptors

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on June 15, 2011 gave six corruptors rigorous prison terms ranging from 13 years and two months- five years and six months and ordered them to pay fine for committing corruption offenses.

According to the charges filed against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), Lemma Degefe, Hailemariam Mechal, Fikru Wordofa, Mekonen Belay,Yosef Getenet and Solomon Girma illegally grabbed and sold 44‚378‚368.00 million Birr worth urban land by forging government documents.

The charges stated that Lemma Degefe, a former Acting Department Head with Land Development and Administration Office with Kolfe Keranio Sub-City, abused his power to give 25,600 square meters of land to an illegal association named ‘Salute’ established by the other convicts.

Accordingly, the Court gave Lemma Degefe 8 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay 10,000 Birr in fine. Hailemariam Mechal was sentenced to serve 13 years and two months of rigorous jail terms and to pay 10,000 Birr fine.

Fikru Wordofa and Mekonen Belay received 7 years and eight months of rigorous imprisonment and 10,000 Birr in fine each. While the Court handed down Yosef Getenet and Solomon Girma to serve 5 and a half years of rigorous prison terms each.

The Court also ordered the stated illegally grabbed land to be returned to the ownership of the government.

Corrupt individuals receive prison terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sent individuals convicted of committing corrupt practices by misusing their power to prison. It has also ordered them to pay fine.

Mekbebe Demessie and Miftah Kemal, former auditors at Revenue Department with the Finance and Revenue Office of Kirkos Sub-City caught red-handed while taking 10,000 Birr in bribe from a contractor who demanded his allotted tax to be reviewed, according to the charge leveled by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC).

Accordingly, the Court on June 30, 2011 sentenced them to serve 3 and a half years of prison terms and ordered each to pay 1,000 Birr in fine.

Similarly, the Court also gave Ali Muhe, a former employee of the North Addis Ababa District with Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) 3 years and seven months of imprisonment and fined him 1,000 Birr for committing serious breach of trust.

According to the charge filed against him by the FEACC, the individual embezzled 40,718 Birr he collected from the sale of 17 Telephone and Internet bills while on duty.

The Court passed the above verdicts as the convicts could not defend the evidences corroborated against them.

Commissions agree to prepare joint strategic plan

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal and Regional States Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions agreed to prepare a joint strategic plan and implement Balanced Score Card (BSC) in a meeting held on May 16, 2011 here in Addis Ababa.

Heads of the Commissions discussed on the activities that should be carried out by the Commissions to combat corruption in a way that would contribute for the achievement of the national Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP).

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Ali Sulaiman said the Commissions are expected to prepare a joint strategic plan by attaching due attention to the focus areas identified by the GTP.

The Commissioner said land administration, tax and finance and huge procurements, among others, are the major focus areas identified by the GTP for the Commissions.

Attendants of the meeting said the implementation of the joint strategic plan and BSC would contribute its share for the success of the GTP thereby enabling the country to have one consensual national strategy in addressing corruption.

Professionals drawn from the Commissions have already launched activities to prepare the joint strategic plan and BSC as of May 23, 2011.

May 28 celebrated in FEACC

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Staff Members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) celebrated the 20^th anniversary of May 28, the demise of the dictatorial “Derg” regime on May 30, 2011 with various assortments.

A paper about the struggle made to overthrow the dictatorial Derg regime and the commendable achievements gained in the building of democratic order, good governance and development sectors following the favorable situation created by the victory of May 28 was presented as part of the panel discussion organized in connection with the Day.

Staff members noted on the occasion that the ongoing development, democratization process and good governance endeavor in the country is the fruits of the victory of May 28.

They said concerted efforts are crucial for the implementation of the policies designed by the government to make Ethiopia one of the middle income economies by the year 2015.

According to the staffs the devotion the public demonstrated for the realization of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam should also be repeated in other development sectors.

Poems on May 28 and the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam were also presented as part of the celebration.

Commission co-organized panel discussions

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) co-organized two panel discussions here in the metropolis.

The Commission in collaboration with College of Journalism and Communication of the Addis Ababa University organized a panel discussion on investigative journalism in May 25, 2011.

Some 33 journalists drawn from various public and private media, publishing houses and Ethiopian National Journalists Union, among others, were in attendance at the panel that was aiming at creating awareness among journalists and enable them contribute in the fight against corruption.

Assistant Dean of the College, Assistant Professor, Tadesse Zinaye presented a research paper entitled “The importance and problems of investigative journalism”.

Similarly, the FEACC and Transparency Ethiopia co-organized a panel discussion entitled “Ethics and corruption problems in tax and revenue collection” in May 26, 2011.

Opening the panel, Director General of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA), H.E. Melaku Fanta said all citizens should be duty-bound to protect the revenue and tax sector from corrupt practices.

The Director General said putting in place a transparent and accountable working system in the revenue and tax collection and other development sectors would have a vital contribution for the success of the national Growth and Transformation Plan.

Director of Prosecution Directorate with the Authority, Eshetu Woldesemayat presented a research paper in the course of the panel. Some 70 people drawn various walks of life attended the panel discussion.

Commission executes encouraging activities in nine months

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) executed encouraging activities in the areas of ethics education expansion, corruption prevention and investigation and prosecution of corruption offences over the past nine months (July, 2002 E.C-March, 2003 E.C).

According to FEACC’s performance report for the reported period, the Commission offers Training of Trainers (ToT) and awareness raising education on the concept of ethics and corruption to some 17,335 people.

The report said a quarterly magazine entitled “Ethics” and more than 315,000 copies of other four publication materials were distributed to the public, while three modules treating issues of land administration, tax and asset disclosure and registration were prepared.

Television and radio spots containing ethics and anti-corruption messages were also aired during the reported period.

Regarding corruption prevention, the Commission has started conducting studies on some 42 work procedures and practices of government offices and enterprises that were believed to be conducive to corruption and impropriety and has already completed 22 of them. The Commission has also carried out emergency corruption prevention activities in some six institutions.

The Commission has been working in collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

Accordingly, the FEACC has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopian Statistical Association (ESA) and Ethiopian Management Professionals Association (EMPA) to cooperate in the fight against corruption in the period under review. An Impact Assessment study regarding the anti-corruption activities executed in the country from 1994-2002 E.C is also well underway.

The FEACC had also been executing collaborative work with the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) in tackling corruption in the construction sector during the reported period. Accordingly, CoST- Ethiopia is undertaking preparations to launch the results of 50 studies conducted on selected construction projects being executed by the government in Ethiopia.

Concerning the investigation of corruption offences, the Commission received 2374 tip-offs, out of which 1172 tip-offs fell under its jurisdiction.

Some 355 corruption cases were investigated during the reported period. The Court ruled on 119 files, among which 102 files were ruled in favor of the FEACC.

During the period under review, the Commission’s conviction rate has reached 86 percent.

As far as reinforcement of Ethics Infrastructures is concerned, the Commission held 27 forums and general meetings. It has also provided awareness raising education to more than 4.9 million people through Ethics Infrastructures.

Regarding the implementation of the Asset Disclosure and Registration Proclamation, after making all the necessary preparations the FEACC has launched the implementation of the proclamation. Accordingly, some 9,102 elected persons, political appointees and public servants have already registered their assets.

The report said the Commission utilized some 15.6 million and 12.2 million Birr budget allocated by the government and Democratic Institutions Programme (DIP), which is administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), respectively to execute the stated and other activities in the reported period.

Commission presses charges against alleged corruptors

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) pressed charges against seven suspects, who were allegedly caused the government to lose 65,336,214 Birr.

The Commission pressed the charges against four employees of the Debrezeit District of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), owner and manager of Sheba Steel Mills Plc and the Company itself.

In the charges of corruption it brought to the Federal High Court against the defendants, the Commission asserted that the four employees of the Debrezeit District of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation collaborated with the Steel Mill in an electric power consumption fraud that caused the government to lose the stated sum.

The employees were reportedly accused of abusing their position for their own personal interest and causing Sheba Steel Mills Plc, a company owned by the Pakistani business group Mishkaat Holdings LLC to gain undue advantage.

Accordingly, the employees helped Sheba Steel Mills Plc not to pay 65,336,214 Birr it had to for EEPCo for the electric power it consumed from February 1, 1996 - July 28, 2000 E.C.

The charges said the properties of Sheba Steel Mills Plc and its sister company were restrained through Court order.

The Commission has also appealed to the Court to transfer the administration of properties of the factory to a third party.

DIP/UNDP accomplishes encouraging activities

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Democratic Institutions Programme (DIP), which is administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said it has accomplished encouraging activities in the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) over the past two and a half years.

DIP’s Finance Officer in the Commission, Bezabih Abebe said the programme has accomplished encouraging activities in the areas of implementing the annual plan set to it and utilization of the allocated budget.

He said auditors from UNDP, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Office of the Federal Auditor General confirmed that DIP has performed well in the reported period.

DIP, which is a five-year multi-donor program launched to support the development of key organizations that together play a role in strengthening institutional frameworks of democratic governance in Ethiopia, supports the anti-corruption endeavor of the FEACC in a five-year sub-programme valued at 4 million USD.

The programme fully aligned to the FEACC’s own strategic plan, has been supporting the Commission to increase public awareness and knowledge of ethical values and corruption issues, enhance staff capacity for the promotion of ethics, prevention and law enforcement, enhance stakeholders’ capacity in fighting corruption and promoting ethics, conduct research studies on ethics and anti corruption and enhance its planning, monitoring and evaluation capacity, among others.

FEACC participates in justice organs exhibition

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) participated in an exhibition organized from May 2-6, 2011 here in Addis Ababa.

The Commission displayed photographs and various publication materials that demonstrate its anti-corruption activities in the exhibition organized by the Federal justice organs.

The photographs and publication materials displayed in the exhibition help raise the public’s awareness of the Commission’s anti-corruption endeavor as of its establishment.

The Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Federal Supreme Court, the Federal Police Commission, the Federal Prison Administration and the Addis Ababa Police Commission partook in the exhibition organized in connection with “Justice Week” celebrated for the first time in the country.

The exhibition has a vital importance towards fostering cooperation among the justice organs, it was learned.

Court sends offenders to prison

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court gave two individuals 9 and 13 years of rigorous prison terms and ordered them to pay 10,000 and 20,000 Birr in fine for committing corruption offence.

According to the corruption charges brought against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Lemma Taffa, a former secretary at the Addis Ababa Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, connived with Addis Abraha to withdraw 1,200,000 Birr from the bank using 13 forged cheques.

Lemma Taffa imitated the signature of the Branch’s Deputy Manager to open a bank account in the name of the second convict to embezzle the stated sum from a customer’s account.

As the convicts failed to refute the evidence corroborated against them by the Prosecutors of the FEACC, the Court gave Lemma Taffa 9 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay 10,000 Birr in fine, while it handed Addis Abraha 13 years of rigorous prison terms and fined him 20,000 Birr in absentia.

The Prosecutors have also appealed to the Court to restrain a car owned by one of the convicts and money saved in a bank, it was learned.

Corrupt individual receives 20 years of imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) An individual convicted of corruption charges as filed against him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay 50,000 Birr in fine.

The corruption convict was sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment and fine on May 10, 2011 for serious breach of trust and forgery by the ruling of the 15^th Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court.

According to the charges, Girum Kifle, a former cashier with the South Addis Ababa Region of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, abused his position to embezzle a total of 654,318 Birr from his employer at different occasions.

The individual utilized some 574,318 Birr he supposed to deposit in its employer’s account in the Africa Avenue Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia for his own personal interest.

He also embezzled 80,000 Birr by adding numbers in the original deposit receipts he received from the bank.

Since the corruptor could not be accessed, the Court passed the above verdict in absentia.

Association stages special literary, artistic performance

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Ethiopian Writers Association staged a literary and artistic performance that dwells on the issues of ethics and anti-corruption on April 16, 2011 at National Theater Hall.

The performance was staged with a view to promoting the national endeavor in the areas of building ethical behavior and fighting corruption in the society. It also demonstrated the vital role literature plays in the fight against corruption.

On the half-day performance a number of poetic works that focus on the need for building ethical behavior and the repercussions of corrupt practices as well as a musical performance have been presented to the audience.

Opening the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Addisu Mengistu underscored the role of artists and other stakeholders in the fight against corruption so as to realize the five year Growth and Transformation Plan.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, artists, particularly, writers are known for their critical works to do away with emerging social threats by understanding them beforehand.

He also said that the Commission was on the move to work in collaboration with the Ethiopian Writers Association realizing that writers are of a great help in the anti-corruption effort, especially in sharing citizens with ethical behavior.

The Deputy Commissioner said the performance was exemplary to promote ethical behavior in the society. He also expressed the Commission’s readiness to support the Association in its effort to stage similar performances.

Federal Court Judges register assets

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) registered the assets of Federal Court Judges on April 15, 2011.

Judges of the Federal Supreme Court, Federal High Court and Federal First Instance Court have registered their assets and financial interests in a ceremony held at Lideta High Court.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said registering the assets and financial interests of elected persons, political appointees and public servants is one of the strategies being utilized by the Commission in the fight against corruption.

He said as judges have a vital role to prevent corruption and maladministration, they should discharge their responsibility in an ethical manner.

President of the Federal Supreme Court, H.E. Tegene Getaneh on his part said judges have a great role to prevent corruption from hampering the development and democratization endeavor of the nation by making the justice system transparent and accountable.

Judges should also strive to properly implement laws, be ethical, equally respect the rights of clients and find solutions to situations that pose problems of ethics in collaboration with stakeholders, he said.

The President expressed beliefs that besides supporting the judges to take the necessary precaution while passing decisions, the asset registration would also contribute its share to increase the public's trust in the government.

Commission’s employees contribute one month salary for construction of Nile Dam Project

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Employees of Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) have pledged to contribute their one month salary for the construction of the Grand Millennium Nile Dam Project.

In a discussion they held on April 11, 2011, the employees have agreed to contribute their one month salary, which is a total of about 1.2 million Birr.

The employees have also agreed to support the construction of the Dam by purchasing a 305,000 Birr bond through their Credit and Saving Cooperative Association.

Speaking on the Occasion Commissioner of the FEAC, Ali Sulaiman said the construction of the Grand Millennium Nile Dam would have a vital significance in the ongoing development endeavor of the country.

It is to be recalled that Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi called upon all Ethiopians to participate in the grand project by purchasing the “Millennium Bond” and through various ways during the official launching ceremony for the Project, which was held on April 2, 2011.

Court sends offender to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC) An individual convicted of corruption charges as filed against her by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) was sentenced to 2 years and seven months of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay 500 Birr in fine.

The corruption convict, Abeba Nigussie was sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment and fine on March 25, 2011 for breach of trust by the ruling of the First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court.

The individual embezzled 46,240.46 Birr for her own personal interest while working as a cashier at the Semeien Public Recreational Club in Gulele Sub-City.

As the convict could not refute the evidences corroborated against her, the Court passed the stated verdict.

Forum discusses Democratic Institution’s role in Growth, Transformation Plan

Addis Ababa (FEACC) An awareness raising forum discussing Democratic Institution’s role for the success of the Growth and Transformation Plan was organized on March 30, 2011 here in Addis Ababa.

The forum was aiming at discussing ways that would enable the Democratic Institution’s programs to support the implementation of the government’s development plan.

The seven Democratic Institutions in the country have provided briefings on three main issues and participants held thorough discussion during the course of the forum.

Accordingly, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the Federal Audit Bureau have provided briefing on Transparency and Accountability, while Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman as well as the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia and the House of Federation briefed participants on Human Rights and Participation respectively.

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched efforts to contribute its share for the success of the Growth and Transformation Plan by fighting corruption in the Federal government land administration, the Federal government revenue and tax, government huge procurement and sales, government justice system and disclosure and registration of assets and financial interests as part of its five-year strategic plan.

Some 120 heads drawn from seven Democratic Institutions, donors and stakeholders were in attendance at the forum.

Managers of Public Enterprises declare assets

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Managers and Deputy Managers of Public Enterprises registered their assets in a ceremony held here on April 1, 2011.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Ali Sulaiman said asset declaration and registration is one of the major strategies designed by countries to tackle corruption.

The Commissioner said some heads do not consider protecting their offices from corruption and maladministration as one of their priorities.

Accordingly, he said they should be duty-bound to fight corruption and maladministration in collaboration with their respective Ethics Liaison Offices.

He said registering the assets of the Managers and Deputy Managers of Public Enterprises would have a significant contribution to ensure transparent and accountable system.

The Commissioner on the occasion called upon heads and staff members of the Enterprises to launch integrated effort to combat corruption thereby contributing their share for the success of the Growth and Transformation Plan of the government.

The FEACC is in charge of the registration of the assets of to elected persons, political appointees and public servants.

Commission presses charges against suspect

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) filed charges against, Berhanu Hika Roba, a former Procurement Officer in Rural Electrification Fund of Ethiopian Water and Energy Ministry, who was suspected of corruption offence related with an International Competitive Bid (ICB).

According to the charges brought against him by Prosecutors of the FEACC, the individual, who is also member and secretary of the bidding Committee, is accused of corruption offence related with the ICB that called for the procurement of photovoltaic systems as part of the Rural Electric Access Expansion phase II project being implemented in Ethiopia with 130 Million USD secured from the World Bank.

The charges said Berhanu Hika secretly contacted Manager of OMNI Agricultural Ltd-Israel and a German national via e-mail and requested 5,000 and 725 USD respectively so that he could facilitate things in connection with the bid.

The individual also contacted Mr. Reinhard Josef Burda, Manager of Communications And Accessories International, a German-based Company and Mr. Manuel Montarroso, Export Director of Solener Madrid-Spain Company and received 4,250 USD and 450 Euro respectively in bribe through Western Union .

The individual also secretly informed General Manager of Angelique International Limited India, one of the bidders, to make corrections by evaluating the bid on his own.

Accordingly, the individual is accused of corruption offence for collecting some of the 10,684 USD he requested from various bidders, accumulating 827,000 Birr unlawful wealth as well as violation of national and international procurement regulations.

The Commission also pressed charges against Mr. Reinhard Josef Burda, Manager of Communications And Accessories International for committing corruption offence by giving bribe for the individual.

As the bid process is found to be fraudulent it is cancelled and replaced by a new bid and the Commission has also launched effort to enable the Rural Electrification Fund (formerly the Ethiopian Rural Energy Development and Promotion Centre) with the Ministry of Water and Energy to improve its working procedures in the area of procurement by conducting relevant study, it was learned.

The FEACC called upon the public and international bodies to cooperate with it with a view to protecting the development activities to be executed with the fund obtained from various donors from similar corruption offences.

Coalition’s Executive Committee holds 3^rd Regular Meeting

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Executive Committee of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition held its 3^rd Regular Meeting on February 14, 2011 in Addis Ababa.

The Executive Committee thoroughly discussed and approved the activities performed in the past Ethiopian budget year in the areas of ethics and anti-corruption education expansion, corruption prevention, organizing and enabling ethics infrastructures to contribute their share in the fight against corruption as well as investigation and prosecution of corruption offences at national level.

The Committee discussed and approved Coalition’s performance report for the first half of the 2003 E.C budget year in the course of the meeting. Members of the Committee also discussed and approved five draft guidelines.

The Committee agreed on the preparation of the Coalition’s five-year strategic plan basing the national five-year growth and transformation plan, it was learned.

The National Anti-Corruption Coalition, which is aiming at coordinating and integrating efforts to combat corruption at national level, was established in a conference held from July 2-3, 2009 in Addis Ababa.

Commission executing encouraging activities with DIP’s fund

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Encouraging activities have been executed in the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) with the budget allocated by Democratic Institutions Program (DIP) under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The first half of the 2003 E.C budget year performance report of the activities executed with DIP’s budget was presented to Heads, Directors and Team Coordinators of the Commission in a meeting held on February 19, 2011 in Sodere.

Presenting the report, Coordinators of DIP in the Commission said encouraging activities have been executed in the areas of raising public’s awareness on ethics and anti-corruption, building the capacity of staff members of the FEACC, strengthening control and evaluation system of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions, among others.

They said expansion of ethics and anti-corruption education, procurement of office equipment and vehicles, building the capacity of staffs of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions, strengthening the role of stakeholders in the anti-corruption struggle and supporting studies conducted on ethics and anti-corruption, among others, were carried out with DIP’s budget.

According to the Coordinators, the FEACC utilized 8,914,182 Birr allocated by DIP during the reported period.

DIP is a five-year multi-donor program launched to support the development of key organizations that together play a role in strengthening institutional frameworks of democratic governance in Ethiopia.

Commission signs MoU with professional associations

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) signed here on February 17, 2011 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two associations to cooperate in the fight against corruption.

The two signatories are the Ethiopian Statistical Association (ESA) and the Ethiopian Management Professionals Association (EMPA).

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman said the agreement with the two associations would help the Commission enhance its capacity to conduct researches and draw professional experience.

It would also create an opportunity to widely involve professionals in the anti-corruption endeavor, the Commissioner said.

EMPA President, Dr. Kostentinos Berhe expressed his association’s commitment to work in collaboration with the Commission in the anti-corruption struggle.

ESA President, Mr. Addisu Fekadu on his part said his association would do its level best to provide professional support in the ongoing fight against corruption.

The MoU is expected to further strengthen the anti-corruption struggle through conducting research basing statistical and management theories and practices as well as executing capacity building activities, among others.

Court sends corrupt individual to prison

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court on March 4, 2011 gave an individual 2 years of rigorous prison term and ordered her to pay 2,000 Birr in fine for committing corruption offence.

According to the charges brought against her by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Birtukan Abera, a former teller at the Northern Addis Ababa District of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation abused her position to embezzle 14,619.75 Birr through falsifying receipts.

Since the convict had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against her, the Court passed the verdict in favor of the Commission, it was learned.

Training on BSC offered to staffs, heads of Commission

Addis Ababa (FEACC) A training aiming at strengthening the Balanced Score Card (BSC) study in the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) was offered to some 50 staff members and heads of the Commission.

Speaking on the training organized from February 21-25, 2011 in Debreziet Management Institute, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman stressed the importance of the active participation of all staff members to ensure the success of the ongoing reform in the Commission.

The Commissioner said the training would enable staff members to continue conducting the BSC in a strengthened manner.

Professionals of Civil Service Ministry offered the training.

Commission catches corrupters red-handed

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) caught two individuals red-handed while taking bribes.

Investigators of the FEACC caught one of the corruptors on February 7, 2011, while receiving 10,000 Birr of the 80,000 Birr he demanded from an individual in exchange for a forged construction permit.

The other corruptor, who was an employee of Woreda 9 of Bole Sub-City, demanded an individual 20,000 Birr in bribe saying he would prevent the individual’s house from demolition, which is a fabricated story. Accordingly, the corruptor was caught red-handed on February 10, 2011 while receiving 7,000 Birr.

Once the FEACC finalizes gathering all the necessary information on the case, it will file charges against the suspect.

The Commission urged the public to continue providing tip-offs of similar cases with a view to preventing the evil deeds of such criminals.

Commission presents six-month performance report

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) presented its six-month performance report to staff members on February 9, 2011.

Regarding the expansion of ethics and anti-corruption education, the FEACC offered awareness raising education and Training of Trainers (ToT) on the concept of ethics and corruption as well as corruption prevention strategies, among others, to some 33,322 people in the past six months.

More than 300,000 copies of advocacy materials including fliers, brochures, posters and magazines were distributed to various segments of the society while television and radio spots, dramas, teleconferences and talk shows were aired during the reported period.

As far as reinforcement of ethics infrastructures is concerned, the Commission organized some 33 joint forums and meetings with various civic associations, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, chamber of commerce, media institutions and democratic institutions, among others. Various activities aiming at strengthening the activities of ethics officers in various government offices and development enterprises were carried out in the reported period.

In an effort launched to prevent corruption and maladministration, the Commission has started conducting studies in 25 activities of various public offices and enterprises and has already completed 14 of the studies.

In the period under review, the FEACC has also conducted studies on the tender process of the Ministry of Education and supply of potable water and sanitation in 15 towns by the Ministry of Water resources.

As to investigation of corruption offences, the Commission received 1612 tip-offs from various segments of the society, out of which 749 tips-offs were fall under the Commission’s jurisdiction. The investigation of some 226 files was completed during the period under review.

The Court ruled on 64 files, among which 53 files were ruled in favor of the FEACC. The Commission’s conviction rate has also reached 82.8 percent.

Regarding the implementation of the Asset Disclosure and Registration Proclamation, after making all the necessary preparations the Commission has launched the implementation of the proclamation.

Accordingly, some 150 senior government officials including the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s President, Girma Woldegiorgis and Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi registered their assets. All the necessary preparations have been finalized to register the assets of other political appointees and public servants.

CoST Ethiopia discloses finding of pilot study in construction sector

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) Ethiopia on January 27, 2011 disclosed the finding of a pilot study it has conducted on transparency and accountability in 25 selected construction projects being executed in four sub-sectors namely water, transport, health and education in Ethiopia .

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman said CoST is an international multi-stakeholder initiative designed to increase transparency and accountability in the construction sector focusing specifically on public disclosure of information. He said CoST brings together government, business and civil society in a multi-stakeholder approach focusing on transparency and accountability.

The Commissioner, who is also CoST Champion, said Ethiopia has signed an agreement to be one of the pilot countries of CoST on December 22, 2008.

The potential benefits of CoST includes improving transparency and accountability on true price and quality, competitive firms better positioned to win contracts, reduces reputational risks for governments and companies, improved investment climate, greater role for civil society in governance of construction sector and fewer defective buildings.

Accordingly, he said, this would help ensure more and better roads for people to get their goods to markets and better schools and hospitals for people to use. CoST will help improve government funded construction projects by improving transparency and accountability on the true price and quality of construction projects, the Commissioner said.

World Bank Director for Sustainability and Development Network, Mr. Hart Schafer on his part said the construction sector has a crucial role in the overall development of a country. CoST Ethiopia should be congratulated for being the only one among the pilot countries that has extended its legal requirements for disclosure of material project information along the construction value chain from design to completion, he said.

The Director said World Bank fully supports CoST Ethiopia and stands ready to support the launch of the Global CoST Program.

Presenting the finding of the pilot study, Coordinator of CoST Ethiopia National Office, Mr. Hagos Abdi said CoST is aiming at enhancing the accountability of procuring bodies and construction companies for the cost and quality of public-sector.

The pilot study indicated that stakeholders of the Initiative have been executing encouraging activities to ensure transparency and accountability in the construction sector, he said.

According to the Coordinator, the findings of the pilot revealed the effectiveness of the multi stakeholder approach in providing leadership for the initiative. It has also identified that the disclosure of material project information was found to be feasible across all sub-sectors and through the full project cycle.

He said causes for concern were also identified throughout the project cycle, particularly during the tender evaluation process and contract implementation stage where cost and time overruns are commonplace.

CoST, which is a pilot across seven countries namely Tanzania, Zambia, Philippines, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Ethiopia and Malawi, is supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.

Representatives of people engaged in the construction sector, civil society, private sector, international organizations and governmental organizations were in attendance at the disclosure event.

Court sends corrupt individuals to prison

Addis Ababa (FEACC):- The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court on Dec.27, 2010 sentenced two individuals to 6 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered each to pay 3,000 Birr in fine.

According to the corruption charges filed by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Deputy Sergeant Tewodros Worku, who was a member of Information and Follow up Main Section with the Dire Dawa Police Commission abused his position to gain personal interest.

Deputy Sergeant Tewodros connived with second defendant Eskindir Musse on August 12, 2009 demanded from an individual 100,000 Birr claiming that they were members of the government’s security. As the individual could not afford to give them what they demanded the convicts finally agreed to take 20,000 Birr instead and received 10,000 Birr of the stated sum right away by forcing the individual at gunpoint.

The police caught the convicts while waiting to collect the balance following the tip-off they received regarding the situation.

Since the convicts had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against them, the Court sentenced them to serve 6 years of rigorous prison terms and fined them 3,000 Birr each.

Corrupter gets 11 years of rigorous imprisonment, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC):- The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court on January 3, 2011 gave an individual 11 years of rigorous prison terms and fined her 30,000 Birr for committing corruption offence.

According to the charges brought against her by Prosecutors of the Dire Dawa Branch Office of the Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Friehiwot Balcha, a former employee at the Dire Dawa City Administration Water and Sewerage Authority, abused her position to embezzle some 96.726 Birr by forging 191 receipts.

Since the convict had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against her, the Court passed the above verdict in absentia.

Commission offers training to 610 heads, staffs of ERCA

Addis Ababa (FEACC):- The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) offered awareness raising training on declaration and registration of assets to some 610 heads and staff members of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) from February 3-4, 2011.

Opening the training Authority Director General, H.E. Melaku Fenta said the disclosure and registration of assets proclamation would contribute a lot to ensure transparent and accountable system in the country.

The disclosure and registration of assets would also play a significant role in lessening corruption and maladministration offences committed in the revenues and tax sector, which is one of corruption-prone sectors.

He said the training would have a vital importance towards raising the awareness of heads and staff members of the Authority on how to prevent corruption and maladministration.

The Director General said heads and staff members of the Authority should launch integrated efforts for the same purpose.

Heads and staff members of ERCA are expected to declare and register their assets in the near future.

More than 7 million Birr reimbursed to gov’t

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) said some 7,364,994 Birr, obtained by an investor through a corruption offence committed during the transfer of the Debreziet Flour Factory to his possession, was reimbursed to the government on January 6, 2011.

The investor connived with heads of the then Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency purchased the factory less than the appropriate selling price causing the government to lose some 3,542,636 Birr. They have also transferred 3,822,357 Birr worth factory’s property free of charge to the investor’s possession.

Accordingly, the reimbursement was made as per the Federal High Court’s ruling to reimburse a total of 7,364,993 Birr, obtained by the investor through the corruption offence to the government.

National Corruption Survey to be conducted

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and Kilimanjaro International, a Private Limited Company on January 10, 2011 signed an agreement that would enable to conduct a National Corruption Survey.

After signing the agreement on behalf of the Commission, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman said conducting the survey would have a significant contribution in the designing of new anti-corruption strategies. It would also contribute a lot towards identifying sectors which are susceptible to corruption.

Coordinator of the National Corruption Survey with the Commission, Fanose Hassan on his part said the survey would enable to discover the existing situation of corruption in the country after the conduct of the first National Corruption Survey by Addis Ababa University in 2001.

Head of Kilimanjaro International, Grayson Kiyondo expressed his Company’s willingness to complete the survey as per schedule.

The survey to be conducted for the second time at national level is expected to be completed within 10 months. The survey would be conducted with some 7.5 million Birr secured from the World Bank, it was learned.

Commission organizes annual experience sharing forum

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) organized annual experience sharing forum for Presidents and Ethics Officers of government owned Universities from December 28-30, 2010 in Addis Ababa.

Briefing was provided on the proclamation for the disclosure and registration of assets and the 2002 E.C. performance reports of the ethics liaison units of the Universities.

Opening the forum, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu said the Commission has been providing various supports to enable the Institutions establish ethics liaison units. It has also been providing various materials, professional advice and training for Ethics Officers of the Institutions.

The Deputy Commissioner said the Ethics Officers in collaboration with their respective Institutions and the Commission has executed encouraging activities by offering training on ethics and corruption and other relevant issues to thousands of people in the stated budget year.

The annual experience sharing forum was aiming at further strengthening the working relation between Presidents and Ethics Officers of the Universities. The forum is also an important event that would enable the Commission to raise participants’ awareness on the support it has been providing to the ethics liaison units and provide relevant information to them.

Commissions hold 9^th Regular Joint Conference in Dire Dawa

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The 9^th Regular Joint Conference of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and other judicial organs held in Dire Dawa from December 30-31, 2010.

The Conference, which was opened by Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Ali Sulaiman, heard the report on the implementation of the decisions passed during the 8^th Regular Joint Conference and discussed on the 2009/2010 budget year national anti-corruption activities reports.

Conference attendants also held thorough discussions on papers presented on the FEACC’s focus areas in its five-year strategic plan and the study conducted by the FEACC and other relevant issues.

The results registered by the Burayu town Administration in Oromia Regional State after the utilization of information technology in the land administration and revenue collection sectors was also presented during the course of the conference.

Commissioner Ali on the occasion urged the Commissions and the judicial organs to implement the important issues discussed during the course of the conference in a way that would enable the anti-corruption struggle to be a success.

Four corrupt individuals get prison terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court on Jan. 4, 2011 sentenced four individuals to 5-6 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them 6,000 Birr each for inflicting damage on the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s witness on a corruption case.

The Court passed the verdict on Yared Wagaye, Fitsum Wagaye, Melaku Tefera and Yonas Bekele for inflicting the damage on Omar Hassan.

The convicts inflicted a serious physical damage on the Commission’s witness for giving testimony on Dilu Tefera, a suspect on trial for committing a corruption offence.

Accordingly, the Court gave Yared Wagaye and Fitsum Wagaye 6 years of rigorous prison terms and ordered each to pay 6,000 Birr in fine. While Melaku Tefera and Yonas Bekele received 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and 6,000 Birr fine.

President Girma, Senior Officials register assets

Addis Ababa (FEACC) President Girma Woldegiorgis and Senior Cabinet Members registered their assets on December 24, 2010.

President Girma handed over the document declaring his assets to Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Ali Sulaiman in a ceremony held at the National Palace.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said various measures have been taken to curb corruption in the country; one of such measures is the endorsement and implementation of the proclamation for the disclosure and registration of assets. President Girma called upon all stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities for the success of the disclosure and registration of assets.

Senior Cabinet Members of the government also delivered the document declaring their personal assets to the FEACC on the occasion.

In a related development, the recently appointed Ambassadors and Diplomats registered their assets at a ceremony held on December 28, 2010 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, Addisu Mengistu said the government has put in place the proclamation with a view to ensuring transparent and accountable governance in the country.

Some of the Ambassadors including Teshome Toga, Gifti Abassiya and Degifie Bula said the registration of assets would undoubtedly play major role in combating corruption.

Similarly General Samora Yenus, Chief of Staff of the National Defense Force, State Ministers of Defense and Generals registered their assets on January 10, 2011.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of the FEACC Ali Sulaiman said the disclosure and registration of assets by senior Defense Ministry officials and other members of the Defense Force would play an important role to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector. It is also an important step to curb corruption and malpractices.

In a related development, Deputy Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR), Shitaye Minale, Chairmen of various Standing Committees in the House and Government Whips in the HPR also registered their assets in a ceremony held on January 12, 2011. Other Members of the Parliament have also registered their assets.

Commission offers training for MPs

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) provided awareness raising training for Members of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) from January 3-5, 2011 here in the metropolis.

The training was focusing on the concept of ethics and corruption, corruption prevention strategies, anti-corruption laws and the proclamation for the disclosure and registration of assets.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker of the HPR, Abadulla Gemeda said the government has demonstrated its commitment to stamp out corruption before it hampers the country’s development and good governance endeavor.

Accordingly, the Speaker said the government has been taking various measures for the same purpose.

Commission arrests suspect

The Addis Ababa City Administration Police Commission on Dec.7, 2010 arrested a suspect who has allegedly been accused of cheating through a false identity.

The suspect requested bribe from an individual claiming that he was the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia’s (FEACC) witness on a corruption charge to be pressed against the victim by the Commission. The suspect threatened the individual to give him the money so that he would not testify against him.

Accordingly, the Addis Ababa City Administration Police Commission caught the individual while receiving some 7,900 Birr in bribe. The Commission handed over the file to the FEACC for further investigation and prosecution.

Once the FEACC finalizes gathering all the necessary information on the case, it will immediately file charges against the suspect.

The Commission on the occasion urged the public to report similar cases to it with a sense of urgency to curb the evil deeds of such criminals.

Commission organizes experience sharing forum, ToT

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) organized annual experience sharing forum and Training of Trainers (ToT).

The Commission organized the experience sharing forum from November 23-25, 2010 for Management Members and Ethics Officers drawn from various Public Enterprises here in Addis Ababa .

Briefings were provided on Disclosure and Registration of Assets Proclamation, the 2002 E.C. performance report of Ethics Liaison Units and on the preparation of ethics guidelines. The experience of some Ethics Liaison Units that showed better performance in 2002.E.C. budget year was tabled for discussion.

Similarly, the FEACC has offered Training of Trainers (ToT) aiming at cultivating ethical citizens, who do not condone corruption to coordinators of ethics and civic education clubs of various private higher learning institutions from December 6-7, 2010.

Briefings were provided on various issues including ethical problems observed in private higher learning institutions, the role and organization of ethics and civic education clubs of private higher learning institutions, plan preparation, report presentation and the Commission’s focus areas during the course of the ToT.

Some 43 coordinators of ethics and civic education clubs and representatives of students drawn from 21 private higher learning institutions were in attendance at the ToT.

Corruptor receives rigorous imprisonment, fine

An individual convicted of corruption charges as filed against him by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) was sentenced to 5 and half years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay 5,000 Birr in fine.

The corruption convict, Hamid Temam was sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment and fine on Nov.10, 2010 for betrayal of trust by the ruling of the First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court.

The individual, a former Customer Service Officer at the Arada Giorgis Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia utilized some 14,000 Birr a customer deposited on her account for his own personal interest. He also embezzled some 16,000.54 Birr of the 28,614.09 Birr he received while on duty.

Since the corruptor could not be found by his address, the Court passed the above verdict in absentia.

Court sends offenders to prison

The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court gave four individuals prison terms ranging from 6 to 8 and half years for committing corruption offences. It has also handed them fines.

According to the corruption charges brought against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), Meseret Tesfaye, Birhanu Delil, Redi Kemal and Kedir Afre committed corruption offences in connection with illegal land grab in the Metropolis.

Meseret Tesfaye, who was an employee of the Kolfe-Keraniyo Sub-City , abused her power to enable two illegal condominium construction cooperative associations established by the other defendants to get 2,300 sq. meters of land in the metropolis.

Accordingly, the Court gave Meseret Tesfaye and Birhanu Delil 8 and half years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered each to pay 5,000 Birr in fine. Redi Kemal and Kedir Afre were made to serve 6 and 7 years of rigorous prison terms and ordered by the Court to pay 2,000 and 4,000 Birr in fine respectively.

The Court also ordered the stated illegally grabbed land to be returned to the ownership of the government.

International Anti-Corruption Day colorfully celebrated

The International Anti-Corruption Day was colorfully celebrated on December 9, 2010 with various assortments under the theme “Let us Succeed in the Assets Registration Endeavor to Ensure Transparency and Accountability.”

Speaking at a press conference and an event organized here in Addis Ababa to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu said Ethiopia has actively participated in the drafting of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and was one of the signatories of both.

The Deputy Commissioner said the annual celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day demonstrates the active role Ethiopia has been playing in national as well as global endeavor to ensure good governance by preventing corruption and malpractices.

The celebration of the Day at national level would serve as a forum to raise public’s awareness on corruption thereby enabling it actively participate in the ongoing effort to prevent corruption from hampering the country’s development endeavor, he said.

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is special, since it is celebrated at a time which the Commission has started implementing the Disclosure and Registration of Assets Proclamation and concludes all the necessary preparations to implement the Growth and Transformation Plan.

Accordingly, he said the Commission has identified the Federal government land administration, the Federal government revenue and tax, government huge procurement and sales, government justice system and disclosure and registration of assets and financial interests as focus areas in its five-year strategic plan.

Staff members of the FEACC discussed the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan and the implementation of Disclosure and Registration of Assets Proclamation in the event.

In a similar development, an educational and entraining Play entitled “Semayawi Ayn” featuring a corruption offence committed in the land administration sector was staged by Artists of the “Hager Fikir Theater” on December 7, 2010.

The United Nations General Assembly Designated December 9 as International Anti-corruption Day by Resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003. Since then, the International Anti-corruption Day has been celebrated globally. This year the Day was celebrated at global and national level for the 7^th and 6^th time respectively.

Seven corruption convicts get prison terms, fine

Seven individuals convicted of corruption charges as filed against them by Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) in connection with illegal land grab was sentenced to jail terms ranging from 6 and half years to 9 years and three months. They are also ordered to pay fines.

The corruption convicts, Letay Beyene, Mengistu Degifie, Eshetu Abebe, Girma Ashenafi, Mulat Degifie, Fekadu Admasu and Habtu Beyene were sentenced to the imprisonment and fine by the ruling of the First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court.

Letay Beyene, who was an employee of the Nifassilk-Lafto Sub-City , connived with the other convicts in the establishment of an illegal housing construction association and grabbing of some 17,210 square meters of land valued at 43,025,000 Birr under the name of the illegal association.

Since the convicts had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against them, the Court gave Letay Beyene 6 years and nine months rigorous imprisonment and ordered her to pay 2,000 Birr in fine. The Court also sentenced Mengistu Degifie, Eshetu Abebe, Girma Ashenafi, Mulat Degifie and Fekadu Admasu to serve 9 years and three months prison terms and fined them 5,000 Birr each. Habtu Beyene also received 6 and half years of rigorous imprisonment and 2,000 Birr fine.

Commission offers training on BPR Implementation, Team Work

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) provided training on the Implementation of Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and Team Work to professionals drawn from Anti-Corruption Commissions of four Regional States.

The training organized from Oct.18-22, 2010 was focusing on the concept of BPR, implementation of BPR, the importance of theme work and gender.

Briefing was also provided on the Commission’s five-year strategic plan and the Proclamation for Disclosure and Registration of Assets to some 18 professionals drawn from Harari, Beneshangul Gumuz, Gambela and the South Ethiopia People’s States.

The professionals on their part share their respective Regional State ’s experience on institutional transformation. Thorough discussion was made on the aforementioned issues.

FEACC organizes experience sharing forum

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) organized a two-day experience sharing forum to executive members of ethics and civic education clubs drawn from selected schools here in the metropolis.

Opening the forum, Director of Ethics Infrastructures Coordination Directorate with the Commission, Hailu Berhe said ethics and civic education clubs have key role in cultivating ethical citizens.

He said the clubs have been contributing a lot in developing ethical behavior among the school community by providing awareness raising education. The clubs have also been executing exemplary deeds including prevention of gender based violence against female students.

The 2002 E.C performance report and 2003 E.C plan of the ethics and civic education clubs were tabled for discussion in the forum held from Oct. 26-27, 2010.

Discussion was also made on the role of the clubs in connection with the five focus areas of the Commission’s five-year strategic plan

Heads, professionals of FEACC attend training, meeting abroad

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Heads and professionals of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) attended training and meetings organized in South Africa , England and China .

A delegation led by Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu attended a training organized in Johannesburg , South Africa from Oct. 20-22, 2010. The training that was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was aiming at raising the participant’s awareness on how to evaluate the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Participants from South Africa , Tanzania , Zambia , Kenya , Nigeria , Uganda , Ethiopia and Malawi attended the training.

Similarly, two professionals from Corruption Prevention Directorate of the Commission attended a training held from October 4-16, 2010 in England under the theme “Ethics, Accountability and Corruption”.

Briefing was provided on ethics, accountability, the importance of professional ethics, how to stop money laundering and the role of media in the anti-corruption fight, among others, during the course of the training organized by RIPA International.

The training brought together some 20 professionals from Uganda , Ethiopia , Nigeria , Guinea Bissau, India and Thailand .

In a related development, professionals of the FEACC attended the 4^th International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities Annual Conference and General Meeting organized from November 2-5, 2010, in Macao , China .

Delegations of some 145 countries were in attendance at the event.

Commission catches corruptor red-handed

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Dire Dawa Branch Office with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) on October 21, 2010 caught, Zeiynu Sherif, a member of the City’s Council and Construction Licensing and Land Holding Administration Process Owner with the City’s Administration, while receiving 3,000 Birr in bribe.

According to the Branch Office, the suspect demanded an investor, who was licensed to get investment plot, to pay him a total of 5,000 Birr in bribe so that he could put his signature on the map of the plot.

The suspect was caught red-handed while receiving the 3,000 Birr, following the tip-off the Commission obtained from a whistleblower.

The individual was arrested, while the Commission has been investigating other corruption cases the person was suspected of and trying to get lifted the protection granted for the individual since he was a member of the Council.

43 suspects allegedly engaged in illegal international call termination apprehended

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Some 43 suspects, who had allegedly been engaged in illegal international call termination business, were arrested on October 21, 2010 following the joint investigation carried out by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), the Federal Police and the National Intelligence and Security Service .

The suspects illegally imported different software and dialing accounts without the knowledge of a relevant government authority and engaged in the alleged illicit business of terminating international outgoing calls. The illegal activity caused the government to lose revenue it had to collect from the sector.

Once the Commission finalizes gathering all the necessary information about the case, it will immediately file charges against the suspects, it was learned.

The FEACC on the occasion urged the public to contribute its share in making the five-year growth and transformation plan a success by collaborating in the ongoing fight against corruption and impropriety.

Investigators arrest individuals for allegedly accepting bribes

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Investigators of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia on October 15, 2010 caught Chief Sergeant, Shalo Mamo, a former Bole Airport Surveillance Section Head with the Federal Police Crime Prevention, while receiving 100 USD in bribe.

The investigators also arrested Tewodros Negede, an accomplice of the suspect, according to the Investigation and Prosecution Directorate with the FEACC.

The suspect and his accomplice persuaded an individual to give them the stated sum in bribe in exchange for terminating the investigation of a fabricated criminal charge to be filed against the individual for renting her house to suspects of terrorism.

The FEACC called on the public to prevent corruption and improprieties by providing tip-offs to justice bodies. The Commission also indicated that the justice system is among its top priorities in the next five years.

Court sends five corruptors to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on October 20, 2010 sentenced five corrupt individuals to prison terms ranging from eight months to nine years. It also handed them fines.

First defendant, Moges Girma, Owner and Manager of Bethlehem Lissanu Printing Press connived with Ibrahim Adem Salih had been preparing and issuing forged driving licenses to individuals as of 2000 E.C.

According to the corruption charges brought against them by Prosecutors of the FEACC, the defendants had been preparing and issuing fifthgrade forged driving licenses as if they were issued by the Amhara, Oromia, Somali and the South Ethiopia People’s Regional States through corruption.

As a result, the Court gave nine years of rigorous imprisonment to each of the defendants.

The Court also sentenced, Zelalem Eshete, a former Tax Decision and Collection Section head with Kebele 01/02 of the Arada Sub-City , to two years of imprisonment for preparing a forged education document for himself by collaborating with first defendant.

Similarly, Abraham Shewatatek, a former Transport Trainer in the Federal Transport Authority and Ketema Kassa, a former Driving Trainer with the same Authority abused their positions for personal gains. The defendants issued a fifth grade driving license to Tsegazeab Negash, who has not received any driving training.

Accordingly, the Court sentenced them to serve 1 year and eight months prison terms and fined them 2000 Birr each.

Commission offers ToT to executives, professionals of Sub-Cities, Kebeles

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption of Ethiopia (FEACC) offered Training of Trainers (ToT) to executives and professionals drawn from Sub-Cities and Kebeles in the Addis Ababa City Administration from October 18-22, 2010 here in the metropolis.

Opening the ToT, Senior Consultant of Ethics Education and Communications Affairs Directorate with the Commission, Kebede Sima said the ToT is aiming at raising the participant’s awareness on corruption prevention in the city’s land administration sector.

The trainees are expected to materialize the knowledge they got from the ToT. The Consultant said they should also cooperate with the Commission by educating the public about the evil effects of corruption and provide tip-offs of corruption offences.

Orientation on the concepts of ethics, corruption and laws related to corruption offences was provided in the course of the training.

FEACC, Transparency Ethiopia organize panel discussions

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) in collaboration with Transparency Ethiopia organized two panel discussions on asset disclosure and registration proclamation and medical ethics here in the metropolis.

The panel discussion under the theme “Asset Disclosure and Registration Proclamation and the challenges that might encounter during its implementation” was held here on October 7, 2010.

Opening the panel, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Addisu Mengistu said the implementation of the proclamation would serve as an instrument to ascertain whether appointees, elected persons or public servants are discharging their responsibility in an ethical manner or not.

The proclamation would also have a paramount importance toward supporting appointees, elected persons or public servants to be cautious and honest while making decisions.

The Deputy Commissioner said if the fight against corruption gets the full support of the public in general, there is no reason that corruption would hamper the ongoing peace, development and good governance endeavor in the country.

Heads of the Commission and Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority gave briefings on relevant issues in the course of the panel discussion.

Similarly, the panel discussion organized under the theme “Medical ethics in Ethiopia” was held here in Addis Ababa on October 8, 2010.

Dr. Adamu Addisie, a Lecture at Medical Faculty of the Addis Ababa University presented a paper entitled “Medical Ethics in Ethiopia”. Participants of the panel discussed the ethical problems in the health sector and other related matters.

The panel discussions attracted more than 100 participants, it was learned.

Commission offers training to Police Ethics Officers

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption of Ethiopia (FEACC) provided training to Police Ethics Officers drawn from the Federal Police here in Addis Ababa .

The training offered to the Officers from October 4 and 5, 2010 was aiming at raising their awareness on the concepts of ethics, corruption, corruption prevention strategies and the activities of ethics liaison units.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Police, Mr. Hassen Shifa said as the working condition of police officers is related with people’s safety and rights; ethical behavior has a special meaning to them.

The training would serve as a starting point for the institutional transformation the Federal Police plans to implement, he said.

Close to 120 participants attended the three-day training

Commission, AAU set to conduct study

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and the Addis Ababa University (AAU) set to conduct impact assessment study on the activities executed by the Commission as of its establishment in 2001.

According to Corruption Prevention Directorate with the Commission, the two institutions would conduct the study in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed last August to cooperate in the area of research and capacity building.

Professionals of the Commission and the University have already prepared and developed a Term of Reference (ToR) that include limitation of the study, the roles of the institutions in the study and monitoring and evaluation method of the study, among others.

The impact assessment study is aimed to disclose the activities executed and the achievements registered by the Commission in the areas of anti-corruption education expansion, corruption prevention as well as in investigation and prosecution of various corruption cases as of its establishment.

The study is also expected to provide vital inputs for the activities to be executed by the FEACC.

The impact assessment study would be launched and completed in October 2010 and April 2011 respectively, it was learned.

Heads, professionals of FEACC attend workshop, training abroad

Heads and professionals of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) attended a workshop and training organized in China and Swaziland .

The delegation comprising Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Addisu Mengistu and Director of Ethics Education and Communications Affairs Directorate with the Commission, Mr. Birhanu Assefa attended the Third Corruption Prevention Workshop among Developing Countries held in Beijing, China from September 11-17, 2010.

Similarly, three participants drawn from Ethics Education and Communications Affairs Directorate and Human Resource Management Directorate with the Commission attended Training of Trainers (ToT) organized in Swaziland.

During the workshop held in Chinese capital Beijing, the participants discussed on three special topics of the construction of corruption prevention system, including the construction of clean governance risk prevention and control mechanisms, the improvement of market-based allocation mechanisms of public resources and UN Convention against Corruption and corruption prevention. The participants were also briefed about the activities of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention of China.

The Deputy Commissioner on the occasion gave briefings about the anti-Corruption activities being executed by the FEACC. A total of 23 representatives from 12 developing countries in Africa and Asia attended the workshop. Members of the delegation were also visited Shanghai, Nanjing and Kunshan, it was learned.

Similarly, the delegation comprising three members from the Commission also attended Training of Trainers (ToT) organized in Mbabane, Swaziland from September 6-24, 2010. The ToT was focusing on teaching-learning skill, human resource, administration and other relevant skills.

Commissioner holds talks with Danish delegation

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman held talks with a Danish delegation here in the capital on September 28, 2010.

The Commissioner and the delegation drawn from Denmark Embassy in Addis Ababa and Danish State Prosecutors for Serious Economic Crime discussed on issues that would enable them to commence cooperation.

Commissioner Ali on the occasion gave detailed briefing to the delegation about the anti-corruption activities of the FEACC. The Commissioner also expressed the Commission’s desire to cooperate with various bodies in the fight against corruption.

Chief prosecutor with Danish State Prosecutor for Serious Economic Crime, Jens Madsen on his part said the main objective of the delegation’s visit is to gain a better knowledge of the anti-corruption strategies and activities of the FEACC.

He said countries should launch integrated efforts to combat corruption.

The Chief Prosecutor also expressed the Danish government’s keenness to cooperate with the Commission in fighting corruption especially on curbing crimes related to money laundering.

The Commissioner responded to the queries raised by delegation members, it was learned.

FEACC conducts studies on work procedures of 17 gov’t offices, enterprises

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) conducted studies on the work procedures of some 17 government offices and enterprises during the second half of the past Ethiopian budget year.

Director of Corruption Prevention Directorate with FEACC, Aklilu Mulugeta said the Commission has conducted the studies on the work procedures of some 26 activities of the stated number of government offices and enterprises.

Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority, Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation and Ethiopian Drug Administration and Control Authority are among the major institutions the study was conducted.

He said the Commission has been forwarded recommendations on the work procedures of the institutions that created loopholes for corruption and malpractice. It has also been supporting the institutions in their endeavor to implement the recommendations.

According to the director, the offices and enterprises have already implemented close to 76 recommendations forwarded by the Commission. The FEACC has also provided advice on some 65 issues.

Commission arrests corruption suspects

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia apprehended three suspects of corruption offence on September 8, 2010 while receiving 100,000 Birr in bribe.

The suspects tried to cheat a man falsely claiming that they are investigators of the FEACC and requested a total of 400,000 Birr in bribe in exchange for saving him from a fabricated corruption charge to be filed against him by the Commission.

The investigators caught the suspects red-handed, while receiving the stated sum as a prepayment based on the tip-off they received from the victim. At that point the suspects tried in vain to escape by inflicting damage on the investigators, it was learned.

The Commission will press charges against the suspects after gathering all the necessary information and further investigating the case.

The FEACC urged the public to report such cases to it with a view to controlling the damage caused by similar unlawful deeds.

Employees of FEACC celebrate National Flag Day

Addis Ababa (FEACC) Employees of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) colorfully celebrated National Flag Day on September 20, 2010.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Addisu Mengistu said the celebration of the National Flag Day has a paramount importance towards raising the public’s awareness about the national emblem.

Accordingly, he said the F.D.R.E. government has decided to celebrate the Day with a view to facilitating a forum that would enable the public express its respect and love for the nation’s flag.

The Deputy Commissioner said the celebration of the National Flag Day at national level would also instigate the public to join efforts in bringing national consensus, cultivating democratic order and eradicate poverty.

This year’s National Flag Day is celebrated throughout the country for the 3^rd time under the themes, “We shall transfer our national flag, which is a symbol of sovereignty, to the next generation with pride by eradicating poverty” and “Our respect and love for the nation’s flag shall be expressed through the growth and transformation plan” , among others.

It is enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution that the National Flag Day would be celebrated at national level every year on September 20.

Asset disclosure, registration proclamation to be effective as of November

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) disclosed that the proclamation for the disclosure and registration of assets would be effective as of the coming November 2003 E.C.

The FEACC said all the necessary preparations are well underway to put the proclamation that is expected to play key role in the fight against corruption into effect as of the reported time.

The proclamation, which is organized under four parts and 25 articles, stated that the proclamation shall be applicable to elected persons, political appointees and public servants.

Public servants who should disclose and register their asset and financial interests include department heads at government offices and enterprises, other employees having equivalent or higher ranks and those whose task is related to making decisions, controlling and licensing.

According to the proclamation, any elected person, political appointee or public servant shall have the obligation to disclose and register the assets under the ownership or possession of himself and his family and sources of his income and those of his family in pursuant to the proclamation.

Common property acquired through inheritance and held by the heirs for private use, household goods and personal effects, and pension benefits are exempt from registration

The execution of the proclamation would have a paramount importance towards the practical implementation of the provision in Article 12 of the country’s constitution, which states that enhancing transparency in the conduct of public affairs with a view to strengthening the bond and creating mutual trust between the public and the government.

The implementation of the proclamation is also a timely response to international obligations Ethiopia has entered through singing the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

It is to be recalled that the House of People’s Representatives in its 23^rd regular session held in April 2010 ratified the proclamation, which was prepared by the Commission.

Commission, AAU sign MoU

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and the Addis Ababa University (AAU) on August 10, 2010 signed a Memorandum of Understanding that would enable them to cooperate in the area of research and capacity building.

Commissioner of the FEACC H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman and President of AAU, Prof. Andreas Eshete signed the MoU representing their respective institutions.

According to the MoU, the two institutions would work jointly to conduct researches and execute various capacity building activates aiming at supporting the ongoing fight against corruption in the nation.

The two institutions would exchange professionals to conduct research, exchange information, involve interns from the University in the research and they can also share facilities for the same purpose.

Short and long-term training on capacity building would be offered to employees of the Commission.

According to the agreement, the two sides would also organize seminars and workshops on the anti-corruption activities in the country.

Commission catches corruptor red-handed

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia caught Dagnachew Gemeda, a former Tax Audit Team Leader with the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority, red-handed while taking 50,000 Birr in bribe on August 23, 2010.

The corruptor increased the tax a private business organization owed to government and decrease its expenditure deliberately by forging government’s document. Then he demanded a total of 600,000 Birr in bribe in exchange for correcting the documents.

Investigators of the Commission caught Dagnachew red-handed while receiving 50,000 Birr as a prepayment from the taxpayer.

The FEACC called upon the public to be alert from officials who use their position to get unlawful wealth and continue providing tip-off of similar cases.

Joint Cooperation, Consultation Forums hold regular meetings

The Joint Cooperation and Consultation Forums of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption of Ethiopia, Media institutions and Charity organizations held their regular meetings here in Addis Ababa .

The 3^rd regular meeting of the Joint Cooperation and Consultation Forum of the Commission and Media institutions was convened here on August 20, 2010.

After hearing the Forum’s 2002 E.C performance report, the meeting thoroughly discussed the activities executed and the challenges faced in areas of provision of training, experience sharing, preparation of ethics guideline and educating the public about ethics and anti-corruption via electronics and print media, among others.

The meeting also made a thorough discussion on the Forum’s plan set for 2003 E.C.

Similarly, the 4^th regular meeting of the Joint Cooperation and Consultation Forum established by the FEACC and Charity organizations was held here in the metropolis on August 24, 2010.

Participants of the meeting held discussion on the activities performed in 2002 E.C in the areas of facilitating ways to fight corruption in a coordinated manner.

According to the performance report, the Joint Forum has managed to establish some 63 Kebele Ethics and Anti-corruption Clubs in Oromiya, Tigray and Amhara Regional States and Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa City Administrations.

It was noted in the course of the two meetings that the Commission would focus justice system, land administration, government’s procurement and sale, government’s revenue collection and disclosure and registration of assets and financial interests for the next five years.

Briefings were also provided to participants of the Forum about the bill for the disclosure and registration of assets and financial interests approved by the House of People’s Representatives on March 17, 2010.

FEACC executes encouraging activities in 2002 E.C

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) executed encouraging activities in Business Process Reengineering (BPR), ethics education expansion, corruption prevention and prosecution of corruption offences, among others, in 2002 Ethiopian budget year.

According to the Commission’s 2002 E.C Annual Report, the FEACC on April 9, 2010 launched the full implementation of Business Process Reengineering (BPR) study after refining the previously studied BPR since February 2009.

Regarding the expansion of ethics education, FEACC offers awareness raising education and Training of Trainers (ToT) on the concept of ethics and corruption, laws related to corruption and corruption prevention strategies, among others, to some 5,412 people in the reported period.

A quarterly magazine entitled “Ethics”, posters, stickers, Commission’s 2001 E.C performance report, Commission’s profile, brochures, bimonthly newsletter entitled “Insight”, anti-corruption modules and other publication materials treating the above mentioned topics were distributed to the public, while television and radio spots containing similar messages were aired during the reported period.

As far as reinforcement of Ethics Infrastructures is concerned, the Commission provided the necessary support to some 76 government offices, development enterprises and higher education institutions, which didn’t establish ethics liaison units or have no ethics officers. Some 29 ethics liaison units were also made to be reestablished.

Ways through which Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions could get training, experience sharing, professional support and research findings is already been facilitated.

The Commission has provided consultation service and conducted studies on some 20 selected work procedures and practices of government offices and enterprises and sent the report to the respective institutions.

A report that would enable the Commission to conduct studies on some six working procedures of key institutions namely the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation and Ethiopian Roads Authority is already prepared.

As to investigation of corruption offences, the Commission received 2915 tips-off from various segments of the society, out of which 1584 tips-off were fall into its jurisdiction.

Some 615 files were investigated, out of which 371 of them were forwarded to the Prosecution Department of the Commission. Prosecutors of the Commission filed charges on 362 of the cases. The Court ruled on 88 files, among which 85 files were ruled in favor of the FEACC.

During the reported period under review, the Commission’s conviction rate has also reached 96.6 percent.

Commission offers awareness raising training

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) offered awareness raising training on the concepts of ethics and corruption, corruption prevention strategies and laws related to corruption, among others, to some 198 people drawn from various institutions in July, 2010.

The Commission provided the training for some 40 participants drawn from the Confederation of Ethiopian Labor Unions from July 12-16, 2010 here in the Metropolis.

Some 40 executives drawn from various Sub-Cities and Kebeles of the Addis Ababa City Administration were benefited from similar training from July 19-23, 2010.

The awareness raising training was also offered to some 48 heads and employees of various government offices in the Dire Dawa City Administration from July 27-30, 2010.

Professionals of the Commission on July 30, 2010 offered a day-long awareness raising training on ethics and professionalism to some 70 participants drawn from the Oromia Regional State ’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Corruptors in Dire Dawa receive jail terms, fine

(FEACC) Some 18 corrupt individuals in Dire Dawa City Administration received rigorous prison terms and ordered to pay fine for committing corruption offence, the Dire Dawa Branch Office with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) of Ethiopia said.

In its report sent to FEACC, the Branch Office said as of its establishment eight months ago, the Branch Office has been doing its level best to bring corrupt persons to justice.

Accordingly, it has made some 18 offenders to receive prison terms ranging from six months-10 years and to pay 1,000-10,000 Birr in fine.

Regarding recovering of public money, the branch office has made the recovering of 305,034 Birr possible. It has also caused the restraining of three vehicles and 42,837 square meters of land through court order.

Some 79,976 Birr that was confiscated from corrupt individuals was transferred to government during the reported period.

According to the report, the branch office has also executed various activities aiming at raising public’s awareness on corruption prevention and ethics by offering relevant training and organizing teleconference.

Court sends offenders to prison

The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced four individuals to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them 6,000 Birr each for inflicting damage on an individual, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission brought as a major witness on a grand corruption case.

The court passed the verdict on Jemal Mohammed Hussien, Weja Bedewi Ahmed, Siftu Muzeyin Issa and Deputy Inspector Seid Hussien for inflicting the damage on the Commission’s witness on suspects of a serious corruption offence.

The court also stripped the four offenders of any public rights for two years.

According to Ethiopian Criminal Code and the Revised Establishment Proclamation of the Commission, the defendants were found guilty of the charge brought against them by the Commission, it was learned.

Commission dubs National Anti-Corruption Coalition's performance encouraging

(Addis Ababa, FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) said the National Anti-Corruption Coalition has executed encouraging activities over the past year.

Presenting the Coalition's 2002 E.C performance report to the second regular meeting of the Coalition's Executive Committee here on July 20, 2010, Director of Ethics Infrastructures Coordination Directorate with the Commission, Hailu Berhe said although the Coalition is established a year ago, it has managed to register encouraging results in fighting corruption.

He attributed the achievement, among others, to the public's respect for ethical conducts, the integrated efforts launched to raise public's awareness on the ill effects of corruption, the commitment among leaders of various governmental and private institutions and associations in the fight against corruption and the special attention attached by the Commission for the same purpose.

The Director said all Coalition members are expected to enter into the anti-corruption struggle with full vigor in a bid to further strengthen the ongoing struggle against corruption across the country.

Members of the Committee on their part stressed the need to launch concerted efforts to meet the goal set to the Coalition.

The Executive Committee approved the minutes of its first regular meeting after thoroughly deliberating on it. The Executive Committee has also discussed on the Coalition's plans for 2003 E.C budget year, agendas and venue for the next general assembly of the Coalition and other related issues.

Some 15 out of the 16 members of the Executive Committee drawn from government offices, private sector, civil societies and the media were in attendance at the half-day meeting.

It is to be recalled that the National Anti-Corruption Coalition, which is aiming at coordinating and integrating efforts to combat corruption at national level, was established in a conference held here in Addis Ababa from July 2-3, 2009.

Panel discusses issues of women, corruption, ethics

Addis Ababa (FEACC) The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia in collaboration with Transparency International organized a panel discussion on women, corruption and ethics on June 3, 2010 here in the capital.

Opening the panel discussion, Director of Ethics and Communications Affairs Directorate with the Commission, Birhanu Asefa, said women would play a significant role for the achievement of the ongoing fight against corruption by shaping ethical citizens.

According to the Director, the Commission has attached due attention to the involvement women in the anti-corruption struggle by joining efforts with various organizations and associations that work in the area of women affairs.

Presenting a research paper entitled “Women and Corruption”, Kebede Sima a Senior Consultant from the Directorate said various research findings show that though their engagement in corrupt practices is less than that of men, corruption poses disproportionate impact on women.

A study published by the World Bank claimed that women are more trustworthy and public-spirited than men. They found that in a large cross-section of countries greater representation of women in parliament led to lower level of corruption, he said.

Accordingly, the Senior Consultant said it is important to involve women in the fight against corruption by creating conducive environment that would enable them to participate in political affairs and government services.

Women should also contribute their share in combating corruption by organizing consultative forums, fighting the practice at institutional level and rendering support to the activities of the Commission, among others, he added.

Presenting a research paper entitled “Gender Based Ethical Violation Against Women”, Fikre Ayalew, Civil Service Reform Program Expert from the Ministry of Capacity Building on her part said as women have an enormous role in the upbringing of children, they contribute a lot in producing ethical citizens, who do not condone corruption.

The expert on the occasion underscored the importance of providing awareness raising education on ethics and women with a view to making the fight against corruption strong and organized.

Hot discussion on the presentations and solutions were forwarded by participants for existing problems on relevant issues during the course of the panel. About 102 participants drawn from various governmental and non-governmental organizations, associations and media people were in attendance at the day-long panel discussion.

Commissions hold 8th Regular Joint Conference

The 8^th Regular Joint Conference of the Federal and Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and other judicial organs held in Assosa town, capital of the Beneshangul-Gumuz Region from June 16-17, 2010.

Opening the conference, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu said utmost efforts should be exerted to make sure that corruption and unethical conducts do not impede the country’s development endeavor.

He said the fight against corruption should also be harmonized with the ongoing speedy and all rounded development of the nation.

The Deputy Commissioner said the government has identified and launched efforts to implement key activities in social, economic and good governance sectors for the next five years.

Basing that, the FEACC has identified five critical issues that would be considered during the designing of its five-year strategic plan. Accordingly, he said the five strategic issues the Commission would focus in the next five-year are land administration, major government procurement and sales, justice system, tax and revenue and registration of assets and financial interests of public officials.

He also expressed the Commission’s readiness to share its experience in the designing of the five-year strategic plan to Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions in a bid to enable the Commissions be successful in their fight against corruption.

The Deputy Commissioner called upon Regional Governments to render all the necessary support towards making the activities of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions of their respective regions fruitful.

The conference heard the report about the implementation of the decisions passed during the 7^th Regular Joint Conference. It has also evaluated the national anti-corruption activities half budget year (2009) report.

The conference also deliberated on the support being provided by the FEACC to Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions and its relationship with them, it was learned.

The conference participants discussed and adopted a five points resolution. The participants reached on consensus in the establishment of Anti-Corruption Coalition in Regional States, making efforts for the enactment of the proclamations providing for the registration of assets and properties of public officials and protection of whistleblowers.

They have also agreed to share experience in the area of utilizing information technology in the anti-corruption struggle and launch activities with a view to making sure that the donations provided by donors is used for the intended purpose.

It is to be recalled that the 7^th Regular Joint Conference of the Commissions was held in Gambella town last January.

FEACC files charges against two journalists

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on May 20, 2010 filed charges against two journalists of Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, who were suspected of corruption offences and arrested on April 22 and 23, 2010.

Haileyesus Worku, who was an editor of democracy and good governance program and Abdulsemed Mohammed, a senior reporter of entertainment program are accused of abusing their position in the Agency for personal gains.

According to the charges, the journalists provided 19 various audio visual documents which contain, among others, information on Ethiopia’s natural, historical and religious heritages, investment opportunities, Ethio-US bilateral relation, the fight between the armies of Ethiopian People Revolutionary and Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the “Derge” regime and the celebration of different religious and cultural festivities, for two journalists from the Saudi Arabian based private Television, Al e’qra.

The journalists were to receive a total of 30,000 Birr in exchange of the documents. The corruption offences committed by the journalists inflicted damage valued at 207,000 Birr on the Agency, it was learned.

Commission offers ToT on corruption prevention strategies

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) offered Training of Trainers (ToT) on corruption prevention strategies to experts drawn from Tax Collection and License Provision Institutions under the Addis Ababa City Administration and to members of various mass and professional associations.

The ToT, focusing on the concept of ethics and corruption, laws related with corruption offences and corruption prevention methods was provided to experts of Tax Collection and License Provision Institutions under the Addis Ababa City Administration from May 10-14, 2010.

Similar training was also provided to members of various mass and professional associations from May 17-19, 2010. Some 67 people were in attendance at the ToT organized here in the metropolis.

According to some of the participants of the training, the ToT would have a vital importance to enable them contribute their share in the ongoing efforts geared towards containing corruption in the country.

Commission organizes event heralding full implementation of BPR

An event heralding the commencement of the full implementation of the Business Process Reengineering (BPR) program, which has been conducted since February 2009 by the The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission was held on the premises of Commission on May 29, 2010.

The half-day event was organized with a view to enabling all employees of the Commission to have common knowledge about the full implementation of the BPR, which was launched on April 9, 2010.

The event was also aimed at instigating the employees for better performance.

Experts from Change Management Directorate with the Commission made presentations about the activities executed in connection with the trial and full implementations of the BPR. Answers were also provided to the queries raised by employees on related issues.

Corruptors receive imprisonment, fine