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 3rd 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 4th 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 8th 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 7th 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 7th 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  

The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on May 14, 2010 sentenced three corruptors to 5-21 years of imprisonment and ordered them to pay 5,000-35,000 Birr in fine.  

According to the file charged by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Goshu Andualem who was former accountant at the Federal Verdict Execution Department with the Federal Courts, embezzled more than one million Birr through forging documents and cheques.   

The convict forged two bank cheques by putting an imitated signature and deposited the embezzled 1,025,267.81 Birr in a bank account opened with a forged Identity Card he prepared for himself with a fabricated name.  

Aster Azeze, who is the wife of Goshu Andualem and Deputy Inspector, Abrham Ayalew, collaborated in the crime by hiding the property obtained through corruption.  

Since all the convicts failed to refute the corruption charges brought against them by the Commission, the Court gave Goshu Andualem 21 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 35,000 Birr.  

A five year prison terms and 5,000 Birr fine were given to Aster Azeze, while Deputy Inspector, Abrham Ayalew received 7 years of imprisonment and 10,000 Birr fine.

 

Court sends corruptors, accomplices to jail  

The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on May 10, 2010 passed verdict on three individuals and their accomplices for committing corruption offences.  

Behaylu Lemma, Dehab Gebrehiwot, Tekledingil Gebremikael, and their accomplices Etenesh Zerfu, Negasa Feyera, Awoke Chanie, Zerihun Bekele, Engda Dina and Eyerusalem Gebrewold were convicted in connection with the establishment of “Misrak Tsehay”, an illegal residential units cooperative association to obtain urban land by forging government documents.  

According to the file charged by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Behaylu Lemma, a former engineer at the Addis Ababa City Administration enabled 162 association members to get 175 sq. meters of illegal land on individual basis by forging documents. Dehab Gebrehiwot, an employee of Yeka Sub-City also collaborated for the same cause by abusing her position.  

Accordingly, the Court gave Behaylu Lemma, Dehab Gebrehiwot, Tekledingil Gebremikael and Etenesh Zerfu prison terms ranging from 4-7 years and ordered them to pay 1,000-8,000 Birr in fine.  

Negasa Feyera, Awoke Chanie, Zerihun Bekele, Engda Dina and Eyerusalem Gebrewold were jailed each to 7 years and made to pay 8,000 Birr in fine for collaborating in the plot.  

The Court passed the verdict since the convicts had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against them by prosecutors of the Commission.  

It is to be recalled that the Court on April 22, 2010 sentenced Behaylu Lemma, Dehab Gebrehiwot and Tekledingil Gebremikael to 5-15 years of imprisonment and fined them 5,000-20,000 Birr in connection with urban land grabbing through the disguise of “Shala” and “Bogala”, illegal residential units cooperative associations. 

 

  Some 110 corrupt guys receive jail terms in three months time

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-In the last three months alone (February to April, 2010), Courts handed out jail terms to a total of 110 corrupt guys who had been charged by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) for committing corruption crimes in various periods of time.  

The jail terms given range between 1 and 21 years and the fines handed out to them fluctuate between 3,000 and 50, 000 Birr.

The offenders were held culpable for abuse of power, forgery, traffic in official influence, maladministration, acceptance of undue advantages, bribery, and breach of trust.

Chief among the culprits were the former General Manager of the Land Development Office with the Kolfe Keranio Sub-City , Wond Wosen Alemu Bekele, and the former Finance Officer with the Judgement Execution Department of the Federal High Courts, Goshu Andualem Limenih.

Each of them received 21 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with illegal land grab in the Metropolis and acceptance of undue advantages respectively.

Furthermore, Wond Wosen Alemu Bekele has been charged with committing other corruption crimes and is awaiting verdict on those additional offenses, it was learned.

 

Commission, DFID discuss distortion study

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) held discussions on 17 May 2010 on the outcome of the distortion study conducted by donors to examine the systems and safeguards in a number of donor supported government programmes.

During the discussion, Senior Governance Advisor to Ethiopia with the DFID, Mr. Oliver Blake, said that the study was conducted to examine the allegations by some people that aid was used for political reasons in some parts of the Country.

Accordingly, the study was conducted in the areas of basic services, humanitarian relief, education, safety net, and peace cup programmes to check whether there were proper checks and balances to prevent the possibility of using aid for unintended purposes.

The study showed significant variation in the accountability and transparency system, it was learned. It, for example, showed that there were proper checks and balances in place in the safety net and education programmes.

On the flip side of this, some problems were detected in some of the areas (relief and peace cup programmes, for example) covered by the study. The problems might have resulted from gaps of capacity or accountability, Mr. Blake said.

The study has, therefore, made some recommendations on how systems and safeguards could be strengthened so that distortions in some donor-supported programmes could be effectively prevented.

According to Mr. Blake, the outcome of the study will be presented to the Ethiopian Government and some options in relation to strengthening systems and safeguards will also be set out during the discussion.

Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E Mr. Ali Sulaiman, on his part, disclosed that it was in the interest of the Ethiopian People and Government that the systems and safeguards put in place were strengthened.

Therefore, he added, the recommendations put forward as a result of the study could be of paramount importance in curbing capacity constraints and other loopholes that might have caused some unintended consequences.

The Commissioner assured Mr. Blake that he would discuss the issue with regional ethics and anti-corruption commissions and seek solutions to the problems raised.

The study was conducted based on desk based review, not extensive field work in the areas covered by the study, it was learned.

 

Court Sentences Corrupt Guy to Eight years of Rigorous Imprisonment                         

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced Berhane  Abraha, former employee of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, on 3 May 2010 to eight years of rigorous imprisonment for forging government documents to steal public property worth 1, 216, 213.82 Birr.

While working as Secretary of Store at the Corporation from 8 July 2005 to 7 July 2006, he forged original government documents in order to steal (which he managed to do) various electric appliances worth 1, 216, 213.82 Birr.

The perpetrator failed to refute the charges the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia brought to him on November 19, 2001 for the intentional crimes he committed and was, as a result, handed the rigorous imprisonment.     

 

  Court sentences offenders to rigorous imprisonments

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced 7 offenders on 22 April 2010 to rigorous imprisonments ranging from 2 to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for the corruption crimes they committed in the illegal selling of urban land here in the Metropolis.

The convicts formed illegal associations to realize their illegal scheme for the grabbing of urban land in the Metropolis using the unlimited access of information they had been enjoying as employees of the Municipality working in different capacities.  

Behailu Lema Dinku, Former Technician of Land and Housing Department with the City Administration, copied the Master Plan of the Metropolis (to which he had access as a technician) into a CD, identified and spotted areas that were readied for distribution by the City Administration, prepared cadastre plans of them and gave out the plots of land among members of two fake associations of which creation he masterminded. Overall, the misappropriated land is worth more than 205 million Birr.

The court, therefore, handed Behailu Lema Dinku 11 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 20, 000 Birr. The accused orchestrated the establishment of the two fake associations, ‘Bogale’ and ‘Shala’, in conspiracy with other accomplices.

Chief among the accomplices were Dehab Gebrehiwot and Abay Legesse, who were both working in the land leasing Departments of the Yeka and Kolfe Keraniyo Sub-cities respectively, facilitated the formalization and legalization of the fake associations as if they were real and existent.

As a result, Dehab received 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined 20, 000 Birr, with Abay Legesse getting 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 1, 000 Birr. The other defendant, Tekile Dingil Gebre Michael, was given 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined 5, 000 Birr.

The verdict on the remaining defendants (Mekete Tadesse, Daniel Belay, and Habitamu Mekuanint) was given in absentia. They each received 2 years of rigorous imprisonment and 5, 00 Birr of fine.    

 

Court sends corrupt individuals to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced two corrupt individuals to 18 and 10 years of rigorous imprisonment on 16 March 2010 for committing serious and grand corruption offences in concert.

Former Finance Officer at the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency, Elias Sirur Mohammed, connived with a Mr. Abebe Wolde-Hanna and committed serious crime of treachery and forgery for which he was handed 18 years of rigorous imprisonment with his accomplice (Abebe Wolde-Hanna) receiving 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Elias was assigned by his employer (Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency) to withdraw money from its account in the National Bank regularly and he used his assignment and position for committing corruption, the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) said.

According to the Commission, Elias forged the names and signatures of Mr. Siraq Hailu, Director of the Agency, and Mr. Alemu Wolde, Head of the Civil Service Reform Office with the Agency, and put them on the Agency’s Cheques.

He, then, withdrew 6.9 million Birr from the Agency’s account in the Bank using those faked cheques and deposited it in the Nib International Bank in the account of Mr. Abebe Wolde-Hanna, who was the second convict.

Following the revelation of the corruption crime, Elias was charged with two counts of corruption crimes: serious treachery and forgery of government documents.

The Commission pressed charges against Abebe Wolde-Hanna, under whose name the stolen money was deposited, as an accomplice of the Crime web.

Having failed to refute the charges brought against them by the Commission, Elias and Abebe were handed 18 and 10 years of rigorous imprisonments respectively. They were also fined 50, 000 and 45,000 Birr correspondingly.   

It is to be recalled that Abebe Wolde-Hanna was arrested in the Sudan following the revelation of his crime and was brought back home to face the corruption charges leveled against him by the FEACC.         

 

CoST Champions meeting held here in Addis

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST), in which Ethiopia is a member, held a meeting here in Addis from 6-to 7 April 2010.

Opening the Meeting of the International Advisory Group of the CoST, the Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and Champion of CoST-Ethiopia, H.E Mr. Ali Sulaiman, said that a comprehensive approach was needed because of the fact that corruption was the complex web of engagements between the private and public sectors.

According to him, corruption is not simply a public sector issue; corrupt transactions by definition require the participation of more than one actor.

The CoST, as an international multi-stakeholder transparency initiative, has helped galvanize shared-interests in ensuring transparency and accountability in the Construction Sector, at least in member countries, the Commissioner added. He, however, stressed the need for launching sustainable reforms that were required for improving access to information.

As he stated it, the CoST could significantly help member countries ensure broader transparency and disclosure frameworks in their procurement systems through procurement legislations, directives and regulations.

The start of the International Advisory Group Meeting came one day after the Commissioner attended a CoST ‘African Champions Meeting’ which was also held here in Addis and attended by senior government representatives from Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. The Meeting was an opportunity for the champions to reflect on progress and discuss future developments of the CoST.

Also in attendance of the meetings was Mr. Christiaan Poortman, Chairman of the CoST International Advisory Group. Speaking at the African Champions Meeting, Mr. Poorman said that the Champions had been providing the high-level support that was necessary to ensure that the CoST was integrated into national systems. “In this way, improvements in transparency and accountability are becoming institutionalized,” he confirmed.

Experience sharing among member countries on the activities of baseline study, procurement entities, stakeholder involvement, capacity building, communication, and disclosure strategies was high on the agenda of the Meetings, it was learned. 

The two Meetings were attended by representatives from the UK Department for International Development that provides financial support for the CoST and the World Bank that provides it with the required technical assistance.

The CoST is an international multi-stakeholder initiative designed to increase transparency and accountability in publicly financed construction projects. It achieves this through supporting the release of project information into the public domain. The CoST was launched by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in May 2008. It is being piloted over a two year period in seven countries which are Ethiopia , Malawi , Philippines , Tanzania , the UK , Vietnam , and Zambia .

 

 Commission attends accountability and integrity promotion workshop

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) attended the Africa Regional Workshop on Promoting Accountability and Integrity in Government Spending held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 6 to 9 April 2010.

According to the Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E Mr. Addisu Mengistu, the aim of the Workshop was to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience among participants about government structures and good practices that promote accountability and integrity in government spending.

Fostering new and stronger national and regional partnerships amongst oversight, accountability, and integrity organizations was also one of the major objectives of the Workshop, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed.

Countries that attended the Workshop agreed to intensify the fight against corruption and work to improve the welfare of their citizens through various measures, it was learned.

Among the measures put forward by participant institutions were putting public interest and the welfare of citizens before party interests, obtaining adequate financial and human resources for their functioning, and adopting and implementing a system of sanctions to ensure that the executive branch of government responds to reports of supreme audit institutions.

Additionally, representatives of the supreme audit institutions who were in attendance of the Workshop undertook to seek legal, financial, personnel management, and operational independence from the executive branch of government.

Fostering public support through the development and implementation of a public communications strategy that includes the media and seeking systematic responses from the executive to audit reports would also be focus areas in the years to come, it was learned.

According to Mr. Addisu, representatives of anti-corruption agencies undertook to seek the protection of their heads from political influence or retaliation, in particular through communication with public and civil society.

They also agreed to promote public disclosure of assets and liabilities of senior public officials and to promote the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses. Consensus has also been reached on the establishment of special, dedicated anti-corruption courts with fast-truck procedures.

Coordination of activities through the establishment of national forums and regional networks of oversight, accountability and anti-corruption organizations was also high on their agenda. Capacity building was among the key issues during the deliberation, the Deputy Commissioner added.

Participants from key public interest oversight and anti-corruption organizations in 17 English, French, and Portuguese-speaking African Countries were in attendance of the vitally important Workshop. 

 

        House Ratifies Assets Disclosure, Registration Proclamation

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia ratified the proclamation that provided for the disclosure and registration of assets on 30 March 2010.

According to the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), the proclamation shall be applicable to appointees, elected persons, and public servants of the Federal Government and the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa City Administrations.

Any appointee, elected person 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.

In spite of the above stipulation, 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 FEACC would be in charge of the registration of the assets, it was learned. 

The proclamation states that all information regarding the registration of assets of an appointee, elected person or public servant shall be open to the public and any person who wishes to access the information regarding the registration of assets may apply in writing to the FEACC.

According to the proclamation, any asset of the appointees, elected persons, and public servants that is not registered in accordance with the proclamation shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be considered as an unexplained property.

The appointees, elected persons, and public servants may not accept any gift, hospitality or sponsored travel that may put their authority under question or ensue conflict of interest.

It was also enshrined in the proclamation that an appropriate administrative sanction shall, in accordance with relevant code of ethics, be taken against any appointee, elected person or public servant who fails to disclose any conflict of interest in accordance with this proclamation.

Any public office or public enterprise is duty-bound to facilitate the timely registration of assets and issue and enforce relevant code of ethics.

Failure to comply with the proclamation regarding the disclosure and registration of assets, avoidance of conflict of interest, and refraining from taking retaliatory measures against whistle-blowers or witnesses shall result in punishment in accordance with the Criminal Code.

 

 Commission makes encouraging achievements

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) said that it had made encouraging achievements in the last nine months of the 2002 (Ethiopian Calendar) budget year in fighting and preventing corruption.

Presenting the Commission’s nine-month performance report to the House of Representatives, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E Mr. Ali Sulaiman, disclosed that the Commission had offered a number of trainings for numerous citizens with a view to raising public awareness on the dire need to tackling corruption and impropriety in the Country in a participatory and multi-stakeholder approach.

According to the Commissioner, the FEACC examined and reviewed 31 working procedures that were believed to be conducive to corruption and impropriety in various public offices and enterprises. The preparation of draft reports on the examination of working procedures of five activities in different public offices and enterprises had also been finalized, he added. 

Regarding investigation of cases, the Commissioner disclosed that 418 corruption cases were investigated in the last nine months of the budget year.

Concerning prosecution of cases, the Commission pressed charges against alleged corruption cases under 251 new files in addition to some pending ones.

Verdict was given on 44 files, 42 of them being given in favour of the Commission, raising the conviction rate of its cases to 95.45 per cent.

The Commission also said that it had been working in cooperation with partners and stakeholders in the fight against corruption. The collaborative work the Commission had been doing with the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) in tackling corruption in the construction sector was worth-mentioning in this regard, according to it.

 

  Court Sentences corrupt guys, accomplices  Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced two corrupt guys and their accessories who were all employees of the Bole Sub-City (Kebele 14/15) on 16 March 2010 in connection with illegal land grab in the Metropolis valued at 894, 425 Birr.

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC); which leveled the corruption charges against the defendants; said that Almaz Kidane, Mahilet Amsalu, and Geremew  Tesfaye; who were all employees of the Sub-City; abused their powers for personal gains.

According to the Commission, the convicts connived with a Hadra Habib and a certain Yalem Berhan Tesfaye in the preparation of a fake cadastral map and title deeds of urban land under the name of the latter two, who owned the land illegally through the conspiracy.

According to the corruption charges the Commission brought against each of them, Almaz Kidane helped Yalem Berhan Tesfaye change his name unlawfully to illegally represent Habib Hadra in the appropriation of the land and Mahlet Amsalu was involved in the preparation of fake documents, confirming the illegal ownership of the grabbed land. Geremew Tesfaye was also accused of providing one of the unlawful land grabbers with illegal identification cards.

Yalem Berhan Tesfaye, Hadra Habib, Mahlet Amsalu, Geremew Tesfaye, and Almaz Kidane had all failed to refute the corruption charges brought against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia and were handed with rigorous imprisonments ranging from 1 to 4 years and were ordered by the court to pay fines ranging between 300 and 6000 Birr.

The FEACC urged the general public to remain vigilant, keep a watchful eye on corrupt transactions, and report suspected corruption cases and improprieties to it immediately.

 

Commission catches two corruption suspects red-handed

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) caught two employees of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority on 12 March 2010 in the act of receiving 200,000 Birr in bribes from importers of auto spare parts.

A Junior Examination Officer at the Addis Ababa Airport Customs Branch Office refused to release the auto spare parts that the businessmen imported legally, falsely claiming that the items were not legally imported.

He then demanded that they pay him 300,000 Birr in bribes for them to take delivery of the auto spare parts they imported, it was learned.

The second arrestee who was a Clearing Agent at the Addis Ababa Airport Customs Branch Office of the Authority mediated between the businessmen and the first arrestee in the negotiation of the bribe. He allegedly managed to convince both sides to settle their deal at 200,000 Birr, which was a hundred thousand Birr less than what was originally demanded by the first arrestee.

The businessmen brought the fake deal which they deliberately orchestrated and struck to the attention of the Commission, with the latter arriving at the scene at the agreed-time and catching the two suspects red-handed.

In a related development, two land administration officers at the Nefas-Silk Lafto Sub-city were caught red-handed by the Commission’s investigative Officers in the act of receiving 25,000 Birr in bribes from a person of whom residential site was transferred to government ownership by way of compensation.

The suspects were reportedly forcing their client to pay them the bribe in exchange for a preferential treatment in the distribution of urban land allocated by the Government for residents whose previous residential areas were appropriated by the Government in compensation.  

The FEACC urged the general public not to hesitate to bring such kinds of corruption cases to its attention any time.  

 

       Court sentences couple for committing corruption in   tandem

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced a couple, Goshu Andualem and Aster Azeze, on 18 February 2010 with rigorous imprisonment ranging from 5-15 years for stealing 549, 609.92 Birr from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in tandem.

According to the Court, former finance officer and Acting Head of the Finance Department with the Judgment Execution Division of the Federal High Courts, Goshu Andualem, and his wife, Aster Azeze, orchestrated a trickery scheme and stole the money from the Lideta Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

As a finance officer and Acting Head of the Finance Department, Goshu knew that there was a legal battle between a Mr. Kitaw Meshesha and Mrs. Almaz Ayele after which the court gave its verdict in favour of the former.

As a result, the Court ordered that Mrs. Almaz’s property be sold so that Mr. Kitaw would get his money back, with the rest of the money to go to the rightful owner Mrs. Almaz. In accordance with the order of the Court, it was learned that Mrs. Almaz withdrew the money from the National Bank of Ethiopia, which Goshu knew because of his position.

Having all this information, Goshu developed a trickery plan with his wife, opened a bank account in her name and masterminded the transfer of the money to his wife’s bank account, from which she managed to withdraw later as per their trickery and theft plan.

Goshu and Aster failed to defend the charges brought to them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) and the Court sentenced the former with 15 years of rigorous imprisonment with the latter receiving five years of rigorous imprisonment.

The court also ordered Goshu to pay 20,000 Birr in fines, it was learned. 

 

                         Court sends offenders to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Federal High Court sentenced corrupt guys to eight and seven years of rigorous imprisonment on 19 February 2010.

According to the corruption charges brought to him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), former employee of Kolfe Keraniyo, Temoges Woldemelak, connived with a Negash Seman and Anwar Jemal, who were both businessmen, on approving their request and application for 1, 135.68 square meter of urban land in the name of a fake association, Tahbib No. 2/13.

They established the fake and illegal association without fulfilling the required criteria with the help of Temoges Woldemelak, it was learned. Temoges included their fake Association in the list of legal associations and enabled them to secure the land on September 7, 2005. They were also provided with title deeds.

Because of the criminal acts of the three corrupt individuals, the Government lost 1, 835, 258.88 million Birr, it was learned.  

The convicts failed to defend the charges brought to them by the FEACC and the Court sentenced Temoges with eight years of rigorous imprisonment, with Negash and Anwar receiving 7 years of rigorous imprisonment each.

Additionally, Temoges was fined 50, 000 Birr with Negash and Anwar being ordered to pay 4, 000 Birr each in fines.    

 

               Stakeholders in CoST-Ethiopia hold induction workshop

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The stakeholders in the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) held an induction workshop on 23 February 2010 at the Hilton Hotel.

Opening the workshop, H.E Mr. Ali Sulaiman, Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia and Champion of CoST-Ethiopia, underscored the significance of the Construction Sector to the overall development of the Country.

The Commissioner who mentioned that an estimated amount of 1.7 trillion USD had been circulating internationally in the Construction Sector also stated that some 400 billion USD was lost to corruption annually at the global level.

According to the Commissioner, weak governance and lack of transparency and accountability in construction projects could make the construction process more vulnerable to corruption and fraud.

Because of corruption, the Commissioner added, decisions on which construction projects to spend tax payers’ money could be skewed, rather than being made in the public interest. There could also be possibilities for public money allocated for construction projects to be entirely lost to corruption.

Use of poor quality materials and inappropriate cost-saving measures could also lead to poor quality infrastructure which might fell apart, risking lives and reducing economic returns, the Commissioner said.

He also stated that Ethiopia had been allocating a huge amount of money for the Construction Sector in the last decade or so. The Government wanted to make sure that every penny of this huge chunk of money went to the intended purpose.

To achieve this goal, he maintained, preventing corruption in the Construction Sector was vitally important. That was why Ethiopia joined the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST), he added.

As a member Country, Ethiopia would continue to support the causes of CoST and promote its objectives, the Commissioner concluded.   

 

Court sends corrupt individuals to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced eight individuals from 7-10 years of rigorous imprisonment and handed them out with fines ranging from 3,000-20,000 Birr on 19 February 2010 in connection with blatant and barefaced land grab valued at 208 million Birr here in the Metropolis.

According to the Court, Muleme Rashid, Lema Degfie, Dehab Gebrehiwot, and Miftah Abdu, who were all public servants here in the Capital, abused their powers for personal gain and illegally benefiting others in the year 2007.

Corruptors Konjit Desta, Mekonnen Wollelaw, Yossef Getnet, and Solomon Girma were also accused of illegal enrichment and hurting government interests, as they were involved in the illegal grabbing of some 120, 000 square meter of urban land.

The convicts failed to defend the charges brought to them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission and were thus jailed and fined.      
 

               Court sends corrupt guy to jail

Addis Ababa-(FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced former employee of the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority on 24 February 2010 to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 5,000 Birr for serious breach of trust.

The Court found Tamirat Berhanu guilty of embezzling 49,841.30 Birr of public money while working as a finance officer in the Gullelie and Gurd Shola Branches of the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority from 2004-2006.

The convict failed to defend the corruption charges brought to him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia and received the verdict, it was learned. 

 

Court sends corrupt guy to jail

Addis Ababa-(FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced former employee of the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority on 24 February 2010 to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 5,000 Birr for serious breach of trust.

The Court found Tamirat Berhanu guilty of embezzling 49,841.30 Birr of public money while working as a finance officer in the Gullelie and Gurd Shola Branches of the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority from 2004-2006.

The convict failed to defend the corruption charges brought to him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia and received the verdict, it was learned.  

 

Court sends corrupt individuals to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced eight individuals from 7-10 years of rigorous imprisonment and handed them out with fines ranging from 3,000-20,000 Birr on 19 February 2010 in connection with blatant and barefaced land grab valued at 208 million Birr here in the Metropolis.

According to the Court, Muleme Rashid, Lema Degfie, Dehab Gebrehiwot, and Miftah Abdu, who were all public servants here in the Capital, abused their powers for personal gain and illegally benefiting others in the year 2007.

Corruptors Konjit Desta, Mekonnen Wollelaw, Yossef Getnet, and Solomon Girma were also accused of illegal enrichment and hurting government interests, as they were involved in the illegal grabbing of some 120, 000 square meter of urban land.

The convicts failed to defend the charges brought to them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission and were thus jailed and fined.      

 

Court Sends Six Corrupt Guys to Jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced four employees of the Bole Sub-City and their accomplices to rigorous imprisonment ranging from 1-3 years on 11 February 2010 for committing corruption crimes and for being accomplices to the crimes.

According to the Court, Former Secretary at the Sub-City, Kropa Gebrelibanos, and Former Officers of Civil Status at the same Sub-City, Abebech Terefe and Mesfin Asfaw, had been preparing and issuing illegal birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates through corruption.   

Accomplices to the crime, Solomon Idris, Berhanu Admasu, and Cheru Mengesha, were tasked with distributing the illegal certificates among corruptors in exchange for illegal benefits and inducements.

Thus, the Court sentenced Kropa Gebrelibanos to three years of rigorous imprisonment, with Solomon Idris, Berhanu Admasu, and Cheru Mengesha receiving two years of rigorous imprisonment each. Abebech Tefera and Mesfin Assefa were also handed out one year of rigorous imprisonment.     

 

  Suspects of serious trickery arrested  

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) arrested four suspects red-handed on January 6, 2010 for allegedly trying to sell 10-killogram gilded silver, deceptively claiming that it was gold.    

The suspects were looking for buyers claiming that they had more than 100 Kg of gold and diamond for sale, it was learned. The FEACC arrested the suspects based on the tip-off it received from whistleblowers about the suspected trickery and deception.   

The investigators of the FEACC disguised themselves as buyers and agreed to buy 10 Kg of ‘gold’, which in reality was gilded silver, for some 2.5 million Birr.       

Upon further investigation after the arrest, it was found out that the case wasn’t within the its jurisdiction, the Commission added.  

The Commission had, therefore, transferred the case to the Addis Ababa Police Commission for further investigation.  

The FEACC urged the general public to be watchful of such tricksters and called for them to inform relevant authorities when they come across such kinds of trickeries.      

 

Court sentences offender to seven years of imprisonment, fines him 10,000 Birr

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced former employee of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, who stole 188, 712.47 Birr from his employer (the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia), to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 10, 000 Birr on 22 December 2009.

Biruk Wondimu, who received the verdict in absentia, had been a teller at the Mahatemegandi Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia before he was charged with stealing the stated amount of money by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia on 26 December 2008, it was learned.

The convict, who was accused of committing serious breach of trust in order to enrich himself illegally, had already disappeared with the money.  

 

Court Gives 10 to 14 Years Imprisonment  

The first Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court, on 31 December 2009, sentenced six individuals who were convicted of unlawful wealthier from 10-14 years imprisonment and 5,000 to 20,000 birr fine.  

The convicts were found guilty of illegal and fake practice in commercial bank of Ethiopia Arada Georges branch. According to the charge filed by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption commission, Daniel Bekele, who was an IT professional at the Bank from February 2001 to November 2002 G.C, used the password given to him by the bank to transfer a total of 3,627.300 birr at different times from the saving account of different customers to the account of five individuals with fake names. Daniel deposited the stated amount of money in the account of Belete Meaza, Bizunesh Abebe, Henok Zerihun, Samuel Bekele (his brother) and Yekurabachew Yelma. Samuel Bekele opened a current account in his own name at the Nagadres Branch of Abyssinia Bank and deposited there a substantial sum of money. 

The prosecutor stated all the individuals shared the money embezzled from the Bank. Daniel left the country after with drawing the money through different individuals. After he fled the country his brother made payments to the individuals involved in the crime.  

According to the charge given by the court, Daniel Bekele in absentia given 14 years rigorous imprisonment and 20,000 birr fine, Belete Maeza to 12 years imprisonment and 20,000 birr fine, Samuel Bekele to 10 years of imprisonment and 5,000 birr fine, Bizunesh Abebe in absentia and Yekurabachew Yelema each got 10 years imprisonment and 15,000 birr fine.  

The individuals were found guilty as they were unable to disprove the doucumentary and testamentary evidences presented by the prosecution.

 

Ex-FEACC staff member gets eight years prison term

  ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-Ex-staff member of the FEACC, Tsegaye Hailu Teklu and ex-Deputy Sergeant Assefa Elias on 12 November 2009 were sentenced to eight years rigorous imprisonment and seven years rigorous imprisonment plus a fine of 5,000 birr respectively for trading on their power.  

Tsegaye Hailu, ex-junior investigator at the FEACC, conspired with Assefa Elias, ex- Deputy Sergeant with the Federal Police Commission, and took 10,000 birr in bribes from executive committee members of Gisla Shoe Cooperative No. 2.  

The convicts struck a deal with the executive committee of the Cooperative to legalize Gisla Shoe Cooperative No.1, whose case was under investigation by the FEACC while promised to drop the investigation being conducted in connection with Gisla Shoe Cooperative No.2 and in return they demanded 400,000 birr in bribes, the charge leveled against them reads.  

Accordingly, the FEACC on 24 January 2008 caught them red-handed while taking 10,000 in bribes.  

In addition, the FEACC, in the course of the investigation, found out that Tsegaye Hailu, who used to earn just 2185 birr a month and a father of four, had purchased a share worth 100,000 birr from Anbesa International Bank.Thus he was also charged with owing money whose source was unidentified.

 

FEACC provides office room, facilities to CoST-Ethiopia  

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) has provided office room and facilities to the National Secretariat of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST).  

In addition, the FEACC has made available utilities, like water, power, and cleaning service.  

The FEACC also played considerable role in the initiation of the national CoST action plan and establishment of the national executive committee of CoST.  

The Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Mr. Ali Sulaiman, who is also the national CoST Champion, has been playing tremendous role in facilitating communication between the national multi-stakeholder group executive committee and relevant bodies as well as promoting the Initiative.  

The country office has currently identified four procuring bodies on the basis of their budget allocation and the Government’s top priority areas.  

The identified procuring entities are the Ethiopian Roads Authority, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water Resources.  

CoST is an international multi-stakeholder initiative designed to increase transparency and accountability in the construction sector. It aims to enhance the accountability of procuring bodies and construction companies for the cost and quality of public-sector construction projects.  

CoST is being piloted for over two year period. There are seven pilot countries in total including Ethiopia , Tanzania , Zambia , Malawi , Philippines , United Kingdom and Vietnam .

 

December 9 celebrated colourfully in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-It is no more contentious that corruption has become a global threat. Nowadays, corruption is an issue that affects all countries around the world. It is one of the sources of global instability and insecurity. It is also a major hindrance to development and democratization processes. Such threats have called for global collaboration and partnership against corruption. One of the situations and events that facilitate such partnerships is the celebration of the International Anti-corruption Day. Cognizant of this, the United Nations General Assembly Designated December 9 as International Anti-corruption Day by Resolution 58/4 of October31, 2003. Since then, the International Anti-corruption Day has been celebrated globally.

Ethiopia , one of the first signatories of the UN Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, put significant premium on global cooperation against corruption. It has, therefore, been celebrating the Day for the last five years with the intention of raising public awareness on the dire need for tackling and eradicating corruption and facilitating the effective implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption. This year, as usual, the International Anti-corruption Day was colourfully celebrated throughout the Country. December 9 was celebrated under the slogan "Fighting corruption starts from self"! Among the major events that the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) organized and conducted in commemoration of the Day were press conferences, workshops, tele-conference, and cycle races. Additionally, Members of the Commission’s staff, including the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, celebrated December 9 by weeding and hoeing the beds of the seedlings which they planted last year on the outskirts of Addis.

All those activities and events focused on raising public awareness on the need to prevent and do away with corruption and impropriety. The Commission used the events to enlighten the various cross-sections of the society about the dangerous consequences and threats of corruption at local, national, and international levels. The events were designed and conducted in a way that enhances public participation in the struggle against corruption. The Commission also used the occasions to strengthen partnerships in the struggle against corruption at all levels. In a similar vein, the International Anti-corruption Day was celebrated in most of the regional states.

The commemoration of the International Anti-corruption Day is meant to bring the international community together in the combat against corruption. While celebrating December 9 every year, the international community should emphasize the need for a united front against corruption. The whole purpose and intention of the celebration is to synchronize and coordinate the efforts of the international community against corruption. The annual celebration of the Day should, therefore, serve this purpose. Ethiopia understands this fact and works hard (in collaboration with other stakeholders) to strengthen collaboration against corruption at various levels. Ethiopia uses the celebration of December 9 to promote collaboration and partnership in the struggle against corruption at all levels. The purpose of this year’s celebration of the International Anti-corruption Day wasn’t different in this regard. Once again, promotion of collaboration and partnership was at the heart of the celebration of December 9 in Ethiopia in 2009 and it will continue to be so in the years to come. Long live December 9!

 

Court sentences, fines corrupt offenders  

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced three corrupt offenders on November 16 and 17 to rigorous imprisonments ranging from 5-9 years and ordered them to pay from 1-15,000 Birr in fines.

The Court found Tibebu Robi , Former General Manager, ‘China-Africa Avenue Branch’ of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia , guilty of misappropriating 400,000 Birr and 1,000 USD, which went missing. It, therefore, sentenced him to nine years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 15, 000 Birr on 16 November 2009.

Similarly, Aklilu Alemayehu , Former Head of the Customers’ Service Department with the same Branch, was found guilty of being part of the above-mentioned crime and was, therefore, given eight years of rigorous imprisonment. He was also fined 10,000 Birr.

In a related development, the Court found Genet Tadesse, Former employee of Kebele 07/14, was found guilty of embezzling 18,514.06 Birr. It, as a result, sentenced her to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined her 1,000 Birr.

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) filed the charges in 2008, it was learned.

In a related development, the Federal High Court sentenced three corrupt offenders on November 16 and 17 to rigorous imprisonments ranging from 5-9 years and ordered them to pay from 1-15,000 Birr in fines.

The Court found Tibebu Robi , Former General Manager, ‘China-Africa Avenue Branch’ of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia , guilty of misappropriating 400,000 Birr and 1,000 USD, which went missing. It, therefore, sentenced him to nine years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 15, 000 Birr on 16 November 2009.

Similarly, Aklilu Alemayehu , Former Head of the Customers’ Service Department with the same Branch, was found guilty of being part of the above-mentioned crime and was, therefore, given eight years of rigorous imprisonment. He was also fined 10,000 Birr.

In a related development, the Court found Genet Tadesse, Former employee of Kebele 07/14, was found guilty of embezzling 18,514.06 Birr. It, as a result, sentenced her to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined her 1,000 Birr.

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) filed the charges in 2008, it was learned.

 

Court Sentences, Fines Corruptors 

 The Federal High Court sentenced and fined corruptors, Nebiyou Bediru Shifa and Tofiq Shure Hussein, who tried to bribe and investigator of the Federal Ethics and Anti corruption Commission of Ethiopia(FEACC) into terminating an on-going investigation into and alleged tax evasion involving them.

The FEACC was hunting the suspects on suspicion that they had evaded taxes. Then, the defendants showed up and tried to bribe the investigator, who had been pursuing them, with 150,000 Birr on the Commission's own premises, at which they were caught red-handed on 27 March 2008.  

The arrest was made based on the tip which the investigator provided on the suspects' premeditated criminal acts that were intended to abort the on-going investigation and pursuit, it was learned.  

Therefore, the Court, before which the case was brought, sentenced Nebiyou Bediru shifa to seven years of rigorous imprisonment with Tofiq Shure Hussein receiving five years of rigorous imprisonment. They were also fined 10,000 Birr each.  

The Commission re-affirmed that it would continue to keep a watchful eye on such acts, as with other corrupt practices, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

FEACC Successful in Making Anti-Corruption Drive Public Agenda  

The Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia said the commission has succeeded in making the anti-corruption drive a public agenda.  

While holding discussion with Mr. Skye S.Justice, Political/Economic Officer with the US Embassy here on 12 November 2009, Commissioner Ali Sulaiman said the awareness raising education the FEACC disseminating to the various cross-section of the public via face-to-face education, electronic and print media as well as its firm stand against corrupt individuals have helped the FEACC to have the majority of the public on board in the fight against corruption.  

He said the preventive and curative actions taken by the FEACC in connection with illegal land provision and acquisition in the Addis Ababa City Administration particularly helped the FEACC to make its presence felt much better than ever before.  

Apart from recovering a great deal of land, the FEACC was able to bring scores of perpetrators before justice in connection with illicit land grabbing in the metropolis, the Commissioner said.  

The annual corruption perception index issued by the Transparency International(TI) undeservedly rates Ethiopia as highly corrupt country, Ali said, adding that the perception index, by no means, represents the objective reality on the ground.  

He said the identity and motives of organizations or individuals who feed the information to the TI and poor data handling and documentation on the part of Ethiopia could be attributable to the misrepresentation.  

On the occasion the Commissioner gave briefings from the things that necessitated the establishment of the FEACC to the approaches and challenges it has in preventing and combating corruption.

 

Former Judge Gets Seven Years Behind Bars For Charges of Bribery  

The Federal Supreme Court on 9 November 2009 sentenced Girma Teku, former judge of the municipal court of the Addis Ababa City Administration, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 1000 birr, overturning the verdict of the Federal High Court, which acquitted the offender earlier.  

The Federal Supreme Court handed down the verdict after the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) appealed against the ruling of the High Court.  

The charges pressed against the convict read that while working as president of the 1st Instance of municipal court, the offender in July 2007 asked, through a third party, an individual that had a pending civil case to give him 50,000 birr in bribes in order to give verdict in favor of the individual.  

Furthermore, the culprit in October 2007 asked another individual 5,000 birr and finally took 2,300 birr in bribes so as to expedite decision in connection with a dispute between the individual and the former Agency for the Administration of Government Houses over overdue house rent.  

Thus after looking into the appeal file the Supreme Court rendering the ruling as the offender could not refute the charges brought against him.

 

Individuals get up to ten years prison term for concealing documents

 The 1st Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 23 November 2009 sentenced two individuals to 3-10 years imprisonment for concealing documents with the intention of gaining and causing others to gain undue advantage.

 

According to the charges pressed against them by the FEACC, Tebeje Hailu (the first defendant), ex-clerk at the Federal Court, connived with Demelash Araya (second defendant), ex-messenger at the 4th criminal bench, and concealed a file pressed against individuals for cheque fraud.  

After looking into the charges, the Court gave the first defendant ten years rigorous imprisonment in absentia whereas it gave the second defendant three years imprisonment and a fine of 500 birr.

 

Workshop in Germany showcases FEACC’s experience 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-A workshop organized by the University of Passau in Germany from 10 October to 17 October, 2009 showcased the preventive and curative measures the FEACC has taken relating to land administration in the Addis Ababa City Administration. 

Director of the FEACC’S Prevention Department, Ato Aklilu Mulugeta, on the occasion elaborated on the preventive and curative steps taken in connection with land administration in the city. 

He also explained the challenges the FEACC faced in the course of actions as well as the approaches it adopted to overcoming the challenges. 

Illicit land grabbing, which was once prevalent in the city, was reined in, thanks to synchronized efforts of the FEACC, the city administration and the public at large. 

In fact, FEACC’s pre-emptive and curative actions with regard to illegal land provision and acquisition earned it appreciation by many. 

Conducted under the theme “The Economics of Corruption”, the workshop discussed methods of corruption diagnostics, prevention and reform, incorporating political economy theories and empirical research. 

The workshop brought together some 100, scholars, academics and postgraduate students.

 

Higher learning institutions urged to give heed to cultivation of ethical students 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)- Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu, urged higher learning institutions to pay as equal attention to cultivation of ethical students as they pay to cultivation of  knowledgeable and skilled students. 

Opening a two-day workshop held at Hawasa University on 24 October 2009 under the theme, “Let Us Fight Impropriety to Enhance Good Governance” he said unless students are equipped both with ethical values and academic knowledge, they, when placed in a job, are very likely to go against the existing civil service direction, which states civil servants are there to serve public interest, not their own interest. 

Thus higher learning institutions need to ensure that their students are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also well behaved, Addisu said.  

On the other hand, higher learning institutions should keep a wary eye on their institutions to prevent corruption, the D/Commissioner said, adding that if a higher learning institution is corrupt, it will send a wrong message to the youths and the new generation. 

President of the Hawasa University, Dr. Admasu Tsegaye, on his part urged the academic and administrative staff to remain vigilant to ensure that the huge resource the University mobilizes go to the anticipated purpose.  

On the occasion D/Commissioner Addisu Mengistu briefed the participants on the FEACC achievements and way forward. 

Similarly, Director of Ethics Education with the FEACC, Ato Berhanu Assefa, presented a paper that deals with ethical problems and corruption in the education sector, solutions as well as role of higher learning institutions in the fight against corruption.  

Co-organized by the Hawasa University and the FEACC, the workshop brought together some 120 academic and administrative staff of the university. 

The Hawasa University, which has recently begun implementing the Business Process Reengineering, has currently enrolled 22,000 students altogether.

 

FEACC, Sudanese Civil Service Commission hold discussion

 ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and the National Civil Service Commission of the Sudan on 28 October 2009 held discussion on issues of mutual interest.  

During the occasion the Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman, briefed the Sudanese delegation on the FEACC organizational structure, achievements, challenges and way forward. 

Deputy Commissioner of the Sudanese Civil Service Commission, Professor Ahmed Ibrahim Abusin, on his part, hailed the political will the Ethiopian Government demonstrating to the fight against corruption 

Professor Abusin, who is also head of the Sudanese delegation, was impressed by the independence of the FEACC. 

The delegation also applauded the Ethiopian Government for ratifying the UN Convention Against Corruption and the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. 

Members of the FEACC management responded to various questions raised by the Sudanese delegation.  

Similarly, Commissioner Ali held talks with the delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) here on 22 October 2009. 

Commissioner Ali on the occasion gave briefings on the overall activities and challenges of the FEACC. 

He also told the delegation the areas where the FEACC seeks technical assistance from the UNODC. 

The delegation commended the effort being deployed to get ratified the draft bills providing for the Registration and Declaration of Assets and Financial Interests as well as the draft bill of Whistleblowers and Witnesses Protection Act.   

 

Commission, religious institutions establish joint forum

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and various religious institutions established a joint forum at a workshop held here on 3 September 2009.

Opening the founding workshop, FEACC Deputy Commissioner, Addisu Mengistu, said that the joint forum is a vital instrument to formulate various new techniques and strategies to spread ethics and anti-corruption education among their followers.

“The forum is believed to assist the Commission by actively participating in the national anti-corruption struggle, “he added.

Deputy Commissioner Addisu further noted that the establishment of the forum is a step forward in the collaboration between the FEACC and religious institutions.

Members of the forum are expected to build their implementation capacity, support each other and share experience to identify obstacles and recommend ways and means to address the problems, he said.

Representatives of religious institutions also reaffirmed their readiness to back the country’s anti-corruption effort by coordinating and educating their followers, especially the youth.

Participants of the workshop discussed and enriched the draft manual of the forum and also elected the Ethiopian Catholic Church as Deputy Chair. The FEACC has become the Chair of the forum.

The participants of the workshop were drawn from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane-Yesus and the Ethiopian Evangelical Churches Union

 

National Anti-Corruption Coalition Formed 

A National Anti-Corruption Coalition that aims to intensify the anti-corruption drive in the country was officially formed at the conclusion of a two-day founding conference held here in the capital from 2 July to 3 July 2009. 

Opening the founding conference, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Ato Girma Woldegiorgis said forming a national anti-corruption coalition to fight corruption proved effective in various countries. 

He underscored such effort would only be successful by ensuring the participation of all segments of the society. 

The President pledged the government’s unreserved support to help the Coalition meet its goals and objectives. 

 Having discussed and made some amendments on the draft charter providing for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition, the participants elected a 13-member Executive Committee. 

During the occasion, two papers entitled “Best Practices of Anti-Corruption Struggle” and “The Need for National Anti-Corruption Coalition” were presented and discussed. 

The Coalition members also adopted a six-point resolution. In the resolution, they expressed commitment to enhance public participation in the fight against corruption. 

In his closing remarks, Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman,    reaffirmed the FEACC’s readiness to closely work with the Coalition. 

He also called on all stakeholders and the public at large to rally behind the Coalition. 

Synopsis of the Coalition 

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the vanguard anti-corruption institution in the country, has been harnessing the efforts of organizations active in the fight against corruption.  

One of such instances is the series of joint forums formed between the FEACC and regional anti-corruption institutions, the media, civic associations, professional associations, chamber of commerce and sectoral associations and law enforcement agencies. 

It is the conviction of the FEACC that such bilateral forums be elevated to the next level with one national vision in addressing corruption. This has called for the formation of a National Anti-Corruption Coalition. 

Formed in the presence of close to 300 stakeholders and partners, the Coalition comprised government departments, civil society organizations, the private sector and opposition political parties. 

The civil society organizations have taken the lion share of representation (48%) in the Coalition. The private sector also constituted a significant representation in the Coalition. The civil society organizations, the private sector and opposition political parties as a whole constituted 68.5 percent of the total number of seats in the Coalition. 

This is a clear illustration that these groups have influential roles to play in the overall activities of the Coalition. 

As provided in the Establishment Proclamation, the FEACC is duty-bound to lead and coordinate all anti-corruption efforts exerted by members of the Coalition. It, therefore, serves as a permanent secretariat of the Coalition. 

The Coalition is expected to:  

ü      Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the national anti-corruption struggle.

ü      Strengthen the institutionalization, systematization and accommodativeness of the national anti-corruption movement.

ü      Enhance the participation of members of the Coalition in the national struggle against corruption.

ü      Pave the way for putting in place a national anti-corruption strategy that accommodates, governs and guides all anti-corruption efforts by all stakeholders.

ü      Encourage regional governments to follow suit and facilitate the establishment of similar coalitions in their respective states.

 

EX-legal experts of CBE convicted 

FEACC (ADDIS ABABA)-The 1st Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 11 June 2009 sentenced two ex-legal experts of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) to eight years of rigorous imprisonment each and fined them each 10,000 birr while their accomplice got eight years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 birr.  

The Court handed down the verdict on Habtamu Petros Hailegiorgis, ex legal expert of the CBE (1st defendant), Yared Dechasa Mulatu, who was also a legal expert at CBE (2nd defendant) and Muhaba Sherif Siraj(3rd defendant). 

The ex-legal experts of the CBE connived with the third defendant to help the latter illicitly withdraw 664,541 birr from 1,257,007 birr frozen by court order in connection with disputes among heirs of the late Degife Gebremeskel Guzimu, who deposited the sum at the CBE. 

While they had the full knowledge that the court had frozen the sum in a letter written to the CBE on 27 June 2007, the two legal experts of CBE with the intention of illegally helping the third defendant gain unduly and causing loss against the CBE, ordered the CBE to pay for the third defendant a sum of 644,541 birr from the 1,257,007 birr deposited by the late Degife. 

The third defendant, on his part, while knowing that the he was not entitled to the sum of money, used a fake name and counterfeit court order requesting the CBE to pay the third defendant 661,541 birr from the already frozen sum of money. 

As the defendants failed to refute the charges brought against them, the Court gave the aforementioned verdict.

 

Man gets over two years behind bars for forgery

 FEACC (ADDIS ABABA)-A man found guilty of forging important documents was sentenced to two and half years of imprisonment by the 1st Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 29 May 2009. 

The convict by the name Tsegaye Merach with the intention of getting undue advantage for himself and other forged stamps of various government offices, the charge filed against the offender reads.

The convict, for instance, produced a forged stamp of a certain kebele administration in Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-city of the metropolis. He also prepared a forged certificate of General Winget College here in the capital.

 

Corruptor gets six years behind bars for abuse of power, maladministration 

FEACC (ADDIS ABABA)-The 1st Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 5 June 2009 gave Solomon Hailu Welle, former Legal Service Head of Yeka Sub-City Administration of the metropolis, six years of rigorous imprisonment and 5,000 birr in fines for abuse of power and maladministration.  

The charges filed against him by the FEACC relates the convict, in direct contravention of the Addis Ababa City’s land administration regulations, issued title deed for certain individuals on 75,000 square meters of land (worth at the current lease price 249,075,000 birr) with the full knowledge that the plot belongs to the government.  

Moreover, the convict gave recognition to an illegal   residential house cooperative named “Bure Aertu No. 1 Residential House Cooperative”, which approached the sub-city for issuance of title deed on 35,000 square meters of plot. 

Still more, the convict while working as Acting Head of the Sub-City’s Infrastructure and Housing Affairs Office gave temporary construction license for a certain PLC to construct shops and warehouse on highway side when it was not the jurisdiction of sub-city. 

 

Former EEPCo cashier convicted for misappropriating funds 

FEACC (ADDIS ABABA)-Mekonnon Edris Hassan,former cashier of Asela District with the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), on 2 June 2009 was sentenced to four and half years of rigorous imprisonment  and fined 10,000 birr for misappropriating public funds.  

According to charges pressed against him by the FEACC, the convict deposited in Asela branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, only 39,263 birr from 369,266 birr collected in electricity bills and other revenues, reducing close to 330,000 birr. 

Furthermore, while working in the same capacity, the convict, with the intention of gaining undue advantage, concealed 2,633 birr from unspecified amount of money sent to the District for operational activities. 

The court gave the above mentioned verdict as the accused failed to refute the evidence brought against him.

 

 Corruptors receive jail terms, fines 

FEACC (ADDIS ABABA)-The Federal High Court on 5 June 2009 sentenced two individuals to three years rigorous imprisonment each and fined each 2,000 birr for trying to leave the country illegally with the help of two former employees of the Ethiopian Air Lines (EAL). 

The convicts, namely Samson Arefeayne Belay and Negsti Haregewine Tasew were caught red-handed while trying to fly to London with fake passports by conspiring with two EAL employees, who have already been convicted. 

The Court that was handling the case had earlier handed down verdict on the two EAL employees and acquitted the-now-convicted passengers. 

The prosecutor of the FEACC, however, lodged an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court against the verdict handed down on those acquitted. 

Having examined the appeal, the Supreme Court confirmed those acquitted were actually involved in the corruption offense the two EAL employees were found guilty of. 

The Supreme Court, therefore, overturned the decision passed on the two passengers  and decided they must defend themselves.  

However, the accused could not appear before the court to defend themselves despite repeated calls made and they were unavailable in their addresses. 

By considering the Supreme Court’s decision and taking for granted the failure of the accused to appear before court as unwillingness on their part to defend themselves, the Court handed down the above mentioned verdict. 

 

Forum calls on courts to play vital role in anti-corruption drive 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Joint Consultation Forum of the National Anti-Corruption Authorities and Relevant Bodies has called on courts to play vital role in the fight against corruption. 

The call was made at the conclusion of the 6th Joint Consultation Forum of the National Anti-Corruption Authorities and Relevant Bodies convened in Jimma town of the Oromia Regional Government from 21-23 May 2009. 

The participants of the Forum underscored the significance of active participation of courts in the crusade against corruption. 

It was indicated that the courts were lenient with corruptors over the past years though signs of improvement have been witnessed lately. 

Speaking on the occasion the Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman said properties and cash worth 62, 765, 900 birr were restrained through court order.   

He, however, said courts are in some cases imposing prison terms and fines that do not correspond to the damages corruptors caused. 

The Commissioner thus urged the courts to contribute their share in the efforts being exerted to prevent and combat corruption. 

Commissioner of the Oromia Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Foziya Amin, on her part said the Regional State has been expanding public education by focusing on women and youths. 

She said preparation was made to open branch offices in Jimma, Adama, Shashemene and Chiro towns. 

The Gambella Regional Government was selected to host the next Joint Consultation Forum of the National Anti-Corruption Authorities and Relevant Bodies.

 

CoST national executive committee launches operation

 The national executive committee of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) has officially launched its work. 

The committee, which is composed of ten members drawn from the government, construction sector and the civil society organization, has sent workplan and budget requirement approved by the Multi Stakeholder Group to the International CoST Secretariat and received feedback.

 Work on developing specification to purchase office facilities is well underway, according to Bekure Ketema, Secretary of the national executive committee of CoST. 

Similarly, a bank account has already been opened and Terms of Reference for the executive committee and employees was developed. 

On the other hand, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman, who is CoST champion, will be heading to Dare Selam, Tanzania leading a delegation in order to pay a working visit from May 27-30, 2009.

 Tanzania is one of the pilot countries of CoST. Other CoST pilot countries include Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, UK, Philippines and Vietnam.

 

FEACC’s 9-month performance encouraging

 ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) accomplished most of the activities it set to execute over the past nine months of the Ethiopian budget year. 

According to its nine-month performance report, the Commission has already entered the implementation phase after finalizing the Business Process Reengineering (BPR) of its support processes. 

As far as public education is concerned, the FEACC offered training to 653 trainees on the concept of ethics and corruption, corruption prevention strategies as well as anti-corruption provisions.  

Furthermore, various publications treating the above topics were distributed to the target audience while television and radio spots were aired via the media. 

As to corruption prevention, the FEACC launched system study on 37 activities. Work on data collection, organization and analysis of 33 activities has been completed. Reports on 20 activities have been developed and forwarded to the subject offices, while draft reports have been developed on 10 activities. 

Similarly, the FEACC monitored the implementation of its recommendation in five public offices and public enterprises whose system study was conducted before the 2000 Ethiopian budget year. 

On the other hand, the FEACC has already launched monitoring on 38 activities whose system was examined beginning the 2000 Ethiopian budget year .Out of which, work on monitoring 17 activities has been concluded. 

As far as investigation of corruption offenses is concerned, the FEACC received 1795 tips-off from the public out of which 951 tips were found to fall under the FEACC’s jurisdiction. 

During the period under review, 252 files were investigated, out of which 151 files were forwarded to the Prosecution Department of the FEAC C. 

As to restraining of property, the FEACC, by Court order, restrained 348,970 square meters of land in the Addis Ababa City Administration and in the Oromiya Regional State. The estimated value of 249,879 square meters of land was reckoned at 578,055,665 birr. Estimated value of 99,081 square meters of land was being calculated. 

In addition, the FEACC restrained 12 vehicles, 20 residential houses and froze 386,001.76 birr deposited in a bank. A share worth  173,000 birr was also put to the same effect. 

With regards to prosecution, the FEACC charged suspects with corruption offenses in 85 new files. 

During the period under review, the Court ruled on 33 files, of which 28 files were ruled in favor of the FEACC. 

On the other hand, joint forums were formed between the FEACC and the media, professional associations, civic associations as well as Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations. 

The FEACC  made everything in its capacity to table in parliament various draft bills, like code of conduct of civil servants and political appointees, the Registration and Declaration of Assets and Financial Interests, Whistleblowers and Witnesses Protection Act  as well as Citizens Charter.  

As to budget spending, the FEACC spent 8,574,600 birr from the budget earmarked to it by the government. Furthermore, it utilized 6,374,427 birr from funds obtained from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

 

Court rules on fate of exhibit 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal High Court has ruled for the return of 65,627 birr, which the FEACC seized as exhibit, to the Ministry of Defense. 

The FEACC collected the sum from National Defense former members, whom it indicted for breach of trust and forgery. 

The Court made the decision after the FEACC had requested the former to pass decision on the fate of the exhibit. 

It is to be recalled that the Court on 9 May 2008 gave seven former members of the Ministry of Defense jail terms ranging from 7-18 years. 

Among the convicts, Second Lieutenant Dereje Legdi, who was a treasurer at the Ministry, siphoned off 1,322,006 birr. 

Other convicts misappropriated a lot of money by preparing counterfeit financial documents.

 

Former employees of Authority receive 3-5 years prison terms, fines  

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal High Court recently sentenced four former employees at the Land Administration Authority of the Addis Ababa City Administration to five years rigorous imprisonment and fined them 5,000 birr each for abusing power while it gave another employee three years of rigorous imprisonment. 

The convicts are Tesfaye Biru, former manager of overdue projects, Kaleb Kibret, former head of plot and house administration department, Tilahun Girma, former deputy manager of land administration, Bekele Teklu, former head of ownership information department and Colonel Tefera Yimam, former architecture planner. 

According to the charges brought against them by the FEACC, an individual named Kassa Gebremariam, who had leased 28, 694 square meters of plot from the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 1984 E.C, refused to return the stated plot upon termination of the contract in 1986.Instead he grabbed additional plot of land and demanded that plan be issued for him for part of the plots. 

As a result, the convicts issued plan for 2000 square meters of plot and masterminded the leasing of the remaining plots in direct contravention of lease regulation and guideline. 

 All in all, of the over 32,000 square meters of land Kassa acquired illicitly (it is worth over 15 million birr), Kassa sold out some while illegally undertook construction over the remaining plots. 

The Court, thus, found the convicts guilty of complicity in the crime.

 

 Former constable gets two years behind bars

 ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Dire Dawa City Administration High Court on 20 February 2009 sentenced former constable at the District 6 Police Station of the Administration to two years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 500 birr. 

According to charges pressed against him by the FEACC, the convict,  Constable Kefalegn Debebe, had concealed  100 birr from 1,100 stolen birr he was able to recover after a man, whose money was stolen sought his help. 

Furthermore, the convict demanded the victim to give him 50 birr in return for recovering his stolen money and received the same. 

After looking into the charges, the Court found the convict guilty of the two counts of charges and handed down the verdict mentioned above.

 

 FEACC senior management members confer with TI officials  

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)_Senior management members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) conferred  with Mrs. Hugguette Labelle, Board Chairperson of Transparency International (TI) and Ms. Rima Al-Azar, TI Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East on 5 March 2009. 

 The TI officials, who are on working visit to assess the performance of TI Chapters in Eastern Africa, commended the FEACC on forging close partnership and collaboration with the national TI Chapter. 

Commissioner of the FEACC briefed the officials on the various activities the FEACC has accomplished since its establishment. 

During the discussion, FEACC management members said Corruption Perception Index, which is released by TI annually unfairly ranks Ethiopia among corrupt countries. 

TI officials on their part indicated that the data employed for developing corruption perception index are collected from the World Bank, Freedom House as well as 16 other international organizations. 

They said that it would be hard to consider the index as perfect, adding that preparations are in pipeline to make future rating as fair as possible. 

 The two sides also exchanged views on how to enhance their relations and partnerships.

 

Commissioner holds discussion with CoST international advisory group chairman

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman held discussion with a delegation led by Mr.  Christiaan  J. Poortman, Chairman of the International Advisory Group of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) on 24 February 2009.

The purpose of the delegation’s visit to Ethiopia, which has become a pilot country of CoST, was to raise the awareness of stakeholders on CoST as well as extend technical assistance in the preparation of work plan and budget requirements to implement the pilot phase.

During the discussion, Commissioner Ali said the lion’s share of Ethiopia’s annual budget went to the Construction Sector, adding that CoST’s approach to corruption prevention in the construction sector through ensuring transparency was a wise tactic.

 He noted that shared stakeholder commitment to transparency and accountability, which was the fundamental principle that underpinned CoST, was an essential strategy to make the fight against corruption in the construction sector a success.

He also assured the delegation Ethiopia’s strong commitment to the implementation of the Initiative.

Mr. Poortman, on his part, said significant proportion of construction expenditures were actually wasted in the form of corruption.

He expressed belief that as one of the seven pilot countries of CoST, Ethiopia would play an important role in tasting out as well as formulating the results of this pilot phase.

The delegation also held separate and joint meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement Agency as well as the Ethiopian Roads Authority, among others.

Furthermore, it had discussion with Multi Stockholder Group (MSG) consisting of representatives from the Government, the private sector and the civil society organizations.

The work plan and budget requirement are expected to be approved by the MSG and the International Secretariat before implementation.

Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Vietnam, Philippines and UK are the seven pilot countries of CoST.

Cost is supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented in partnership with the World Bank, with an international secretariat providing on-going support to all pilot countries.

 

Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Sectorial Associations form joint forum 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations established a joint forum on 25 February 2009. 

The move is part of the Commission’s efforts to involve non-state actors in the fight against corruption. 

Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E.Ato Addisu Mengistu, on the occasion said the anti-corruption drive could not come to fruition unless all segments of the society joined forces. 

He said the roles of the Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations in this regard was enormous as they were  in charge of coordinating institutions the were involved in supplying the public basic commodities and services. 

Addisu urged Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations to work in close collaboration and partnership with the Commission to disseminate ethics and anti-corruption education, expose corruption offenses and other relevant activities. 

As stipulated in the joint forum establishment statute, the FEACC and the Sectorial Associations would assume chairmanship and Deputy Chairmanship positions of the Forum respectively. 

It is to be recalled that the FEACC and federal government institutions engaged particularly in activities of ensuring the rule of law had already formed the joint forum. Several similar forums constituting the FEACC and civil society organizations, the FEACC and the media, the FEACC and professional associations as well as the FEACC and civic associations were formed.

 

FEACC participates in expert meeting assessing anti-corruption efforts across Africa

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-A delegation led by the Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu took part in Ad-hoc Expert Meeting on “Assessing the Efficiency and Impact of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in Africa” held in Kigali, Rwanda from 16th to 17th February 2009.

The meeting was aimed at assessing the efficiency and impact of national anti-corruption institutions in Africa and exploring ways of strengthening their capacity.

During the occasion, the participants reviewed a study on “Assessing the Efficiency and Impact of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in Africa”. The study, prepared by the Governance and Public Administration Division (GPAD) with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), presents a thorough examination of the activities of national anti-corruption institutions across the continent. The study looks at the scale, dimension and nature of the problem of corruption in Africa.

It also reviews international instruments and frameworks on anti-corruption, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as well as other major international, regional and sub-regional instruments at combating corruption.

The achievement made in the areas of investigation and prosecution of corruption offences is also highlighted in the study. The study also deals with problems encountered in the fight against corruption and suggests measures at solving them.

Participants gave briefing on challenges their respective anti-corruption institutions faced in the process of performing their functions and outlined areas where they were confronted with capacity constraints.

Furthermore, the participants dwelt on challenges they faced in an effort to domesticate provisions stipulated in international instruments, particularly in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

Organized by GPAD as part of its anti-corruption programme, the Expert Meeting brought together heads of national anti-corruption institutions, leading civil society actors, policy makers, sub-regional, regional and international institutions working on corruption in Africa, academics and the media. 

 

Corruptors receive jail terms, fines 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The Federal High Court on 30 January 2009 gave Tamirat Hundie Megersa, ex-officer of code enforcement at the Yeka Sub-city of the metropolis a year behind bars and a fine of 500 birr for bribery. 

The convict was caught red-handed while receiving 1,700 birr which he demanded by intimidating four residents of the sub-city he claimed to have held illegal plots. 

After looking into the charge, the Court found the convict guilty of receiving bribe. 

In a related development, ex-guards at the Road Transport Office of the Dire Dawa Administration were sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment each for stealing spare parts of a vehicle they were supposed to take care of. 

The Federal High Court on 9 February 2009 gave Melaku Gezahegn and Wube Mamo  two years behind bars each as they failed to  defend themselves against the charge    

Similarly, the Federal High Court on 22 February 2009 sentenced Sultan Redin Abegaz, former head of Addisu Gebeya branch with Commercial Nominees PLC, to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 4,000 birr for misappropriating over 62,000 birr, which he was given to pay for pensioners. 

The Court handed down the verdict after the convict failed to refute the charge brought against him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC). 

 

FEACC participates in anti-corruption meeting 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman took part in anti-corruption meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana from January 22-23, 2009. 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss development fraud and corruption trends in Africa and globally, exchange experiences, share lessons learned about successful and not-so-successful strategies and forge stronger alliance to achieve transformative progress in fighting fraud and corruption across the continent. 

Ensuring that development funds are used for their intended purposes remains a continuing challenge both in Africa and elsewhere, according to the World Bank sources. 

The Bank Group, to this end, has established mechanisms to minimize fraud and corruption in its own activities and to respond swiftly and effectively when fraud or corruption occurs in Bank-financed operations. 

The Bank’s lending to the African continent is expected to reach 7 billion USD this year, the sources said. 

Held on the theme of “Advancing the Fight against Fraud and Corruption in Africa: Progress and Prospects, the meeting brought together pertinent officials from around 16 African countries including Ethiopia. 

The meeting was jointly hosted by the World Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency and the Africa Region Vice Presidency.

 

Court gives up to 7 years imprisonment 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) -The Dire Dawa criminal bench with the Federal High Court on 9 January 2009 sentenced five former employees of the Dire Dawa branch with the Wholesale Trading and Distribution Enterprise and one merchant to 1-7 years of  rigorous imprisonment and fined them   up to 20,000 birr. 

The convicts were found guilty of selling out over 1900 quintals of sugar that were supposed to be disbursed among residents of the Dire Dawa City Administration and other institutions. 

As a result, the court gave former  manager of the branch, Samuel Dejenie,  seven years rigorous imprisonment and  fined him 20,000 birr while Bogale Mekonon, who was assigned to take delivery of  sugar from Methara Sugar Factory and  Eskiyas Taye, a merchant and an accomplice , each got six years behind bars and fined 10,000 birr. 

Azeb Alemayehu, ex-head of the branch’s warehouse, was sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment and was fined 2,000 birr. 

 Amelework Yohannes, former cashier of the branch and Endris Abdulkadir, former treasurer of the branch were each given one year rigorous imprisonment and fined 1000 birr. 

 

Alleged Fugitive corruptor apprehended 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-Abebe Weldehana Guya, who had been hunted by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) for committing serious fraud and corruption offenses, was arrested and extradited from Sudan on 14 January 2009. 

Abebe connived with Elias Sirur Mohammed (first defendant), who had worked at the Emergency Food Reserve Administration as a treasurer from 9 May 2001 to 10 February 2006, and misappropriated 5,794,175.Birr (five million seven hundred and ninety four thousand one hundred and seventy five Birr) of government money. 

The first defendant, who is still at large, withdrew the stated sum from the National Bank of Ethiopia and deposited it in Abebe’s bank account at the NIB International Bank by falsely claiming that grain was purchased from Abebe’s grain outlet. Actually, Abebe  did not have any  grain supply firm.  

Elias was able to transfer the sum by taking advantage of a delegation accorded to him by  his office to withdraw money from the National Bank of Ethiopia. He put names and imitative signatures of heads of his office to write a cheque with the intention of gaining undue advantage for himself and for the second defendant.  

The FEACC had earlier called on the suspects via the media to submit themselves to it and also urged the public to tip the FEACC the whereabouts of the suspects. Despite the call, the suspects chose to remain in hideout. 

Abebe was, however, arrested after a tip-off provided by a Sudan-based Ethiopian, who watched the picture of the fugitive in a public announcement made by the FEACC. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Information and Intelligence Services, Interpol Main Department with the Federal Police as well as the Government of Sudan played a significant role in the manhunt and extradition. 

The arrest of the suspect is a clear illustration of the government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and the fact that corruptors could not get away with their evil acts. 

The FEACC would like to urge the general public to continue to tip the FEACC in the effort to apprehend the first defendant..

 

Ethiopia joins the construction sector transparency initiative (CoST)

Addis Ababa (FEACC) December 22, 2008-The Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC), H.E Mr. Ali Suleyman, announced on 22 December 2008 that Ethiopia would sign up to the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (Cost).

According to the Commissioner, Ethiopia will join six other countries to implement a two-year pilot phase of the programme which is designed to reduce corruption and enhance the effectiveness of public sector infrastructure projects.

Well-managed public sector infrastructure projects could make a major contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction, said the Commissioner, adding that new infrastructure and buildings of all kinds are vital to improving public services and peoples’ livelihoods.

Billions of dollars of public money, often in the form of long-term loans, are being invested in infrastructure year on year globally, according to him. Mismanagement and corruption during planning, implementation and monitoring of construction projects could undermine the expected social and economic benefits of these investments, he explained.

“Ethiopia is spending billions of birr on infrastructure development and that makes the need to protect the construction sector from corruption even more important and urgent,” he emphasized.

According to him, the pilot phase of CoST will test a multi-stakeholder approach to increasing transparency and accountability in the delivery of the construction projects. It is expected that the release of key project information will lead to better quality infrastructure and better value for money, helping economic growth and reducing poverty.

Ethiopia would be fully committed to implementing CoST’s programmes and ensuring transparency and accountability in the public construction sector in collaboration and partnership with the other member countries, the Commissioner underscored.

The Commissioner said that Government, construction sector and civil society would work together to improve the efficiency, quality, and cost of public sector construction projects in Ethiopia and internationally.

Cost is supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented in partnership with the World Bank, with an international secretariat providing on-going support to all pilot countries.

 

Commission arrests six individuals for allegedly involving in forgery 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) arrested six individuals for allegedly involving in preparing forged documents of over 50 governmental and private institutions. 

Commission Ethics Education and Public Relations Department Director, Ato Berhanu Assefa ,  said four employees of the Federal Transport Authority, a manger of a private printing enterprise and a broker are among the people who were arrested by the Commission. 

The Commission was able to hold various forged seals and documents of public and private institutions, religious institutions, associations, private companies and regional organizations. 

Various forged education documents, including doctorate degrees, business and driving licenses were seized from the offenders.. 

Employees of the Federal Transport Authority were involved in the offense by creating linkage with the printing press, the director said, adding that they were also allegedly involved in producing and concealing of fake documents. 

Investigations made by the Commission confirmed that various fake educational credentials, business and driving licenses, medical doctorate degrees and other counterfeit documents prepared here and abroad are used by several offenders. 

The director thus urged governmental and private institutions to verify documents well while dealing with them. 

He also called on the public to prevent the crime by reporting such acts to the Commission.

 

Corrupt civil servant sent to jail 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Supreme Court of the Amhara Regional State on 9 December 2008 jailed  Adane Andargie Yimam, former service head of  Branch No. 1 with the Bahir Dar Electric Power District, for two and half years for forgery and abuse of power. 

According to the charge filed by the FEACC, the convict was found guilty as he deleted with fluid signature of Genet Assefa, his colleague, from an attendance list and alleged that she was off duty. Furthermore, while knowing that she was given a sick leave, the culprit accused her of wasting working hours. 

In so doing, the convict deducted seven days salary from Genet as a fine, the charge reads. 

As a result, the Court sentenced him to two and half years of prison term as he was unable to refute the charges pressed against him.

 

Commission set to increasingly involve public in anti-corruption campaign 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) said it has put in place a system enabling the public participate in the fight against corruption. 

Commissioner Ali Sulaiman said that the Commission has been striving to enable the public actively participate in the anti-corruption campaign. 

Commissioner Ali was speaking at a public gathering organized by the Commission on 13 December 2008 in connection with the International Anti-Corruption Day. 

He said the public have been contributing in the efforts to expose corruption. 

The aim of the gathering was to collect public opinion on activities being carried out by the Commission, find new ideas enabling to strengthen the fight against corruption and raise awareness of the public on activities of the Commission, among others. 

Director of Ethics Education and Public Relations Department with the Commission, Ato Berhanu Assefa on his part said the Commission has been working to enable the public become aware of the negative impacts of corruption. 

The Commission had received 3,000 tips during the past Ethiopian budget year. The public are expected to further provide tips to the Commission, he said. 

 

Commissioner stresses need to enhance good governance by fighting corruption 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption, H.E Ato Ali Sulaiman underlined the need to intensify the anti-corruption effort in a bid to augment good governance. 

Giving a press conference on 5 December 2008 in connection with the International Anti-Corruption Day, Commissioner Ali said this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day celebration was unique in that it was being celebrated at a time when the government of Ethiopia was stepping up efforts to enhance good governance. 

He further said the fact that the Day was being celebrated in the wake of the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption by the government also made the celebration unique. 

Since its establishment the FEACC has registered positive achievements in the fight against corruption, the Commissioner said. 

The FEACC was able to attract the public to rally behind its noble cause, the Commissioner said, adding that the FEACC has already made the anti-corruption drive a public agenda. 

Preparations are in full swing to conduct corruption survey for the second time, according to the Commissioner. A draft anti-corruption policy, which was believed to scale up the anti-corruption drive, was also being tabled, Ali added. 

A diagnostic study conducted in the construction sector in Ethiopia by the World Bank revealed there was a marked difference in perception between international and domestic stakeholders towards corruption, the Commissioner said. 

Despite the marked differences in perception, levels of corruption in Ethiopia are significantly lower both in frequency and scale, the Commissioner said quoting the study.

 

Commission, Civic Associations Establish Joint Forum

 The Federal Ethics and Anticorruption and 15 civic associations have established a joint cooperation and consultation forum in a meeting they held at Imperial Hotel on December 03, 2008. 

The joint forum was formed with a view to fighting corruption with the active participation of all members of civic associations. 

The establishment of the joint forum is also believed to help strengthen the role of individual members of civic associations in the fight against corruption by encouraging them to rally behind the noble cause of the FEACC.  

Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission Ato Addissu Mengistu on the occasion said that the role of civic associations against corruption was pivotal.  

The world tends to be skeptical of the effectiveness of the anticorruption derive in the absence of the full participation of civic associations, according to the deputy Commissioner 

As civic associations are believed to be non-patricians and active at the grassroots level, their role in the fight against corruption is tremendous. 

He also said that in order for the civic associations win the trust of the public and provide the required service to those in need, they have to fight corruption as it is a major impediment that thwarts the efforts exerted to respect the rights and interests of its members.

After hearing briefings made by the director of the Department for the Coordination of Ethics Infrastructure with the Commission and making amendments on some articles, the participants adopted the final draft regulation of the forum. 

According to the adopted regulation, the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission assumes the position of the chairmanship and the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions has been elected to take on the position of the vice chairmanship.

 

FEACC arrests eight individuals for alleged involvement in telecom scam 

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia has apprehended eight individuals, including a foreigner,  for allegedly providing telecom services using devices that are banned from entering the country. 

The suspects, who were put under control during a hunt conducted from 19-21 November 2008, allegedly made international calls without the recognition and permission of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC).In so doing, the suspects amassed considerable sum in foreign and local currencies that could have otherwise collected by ETC. 

According to the Investigation Department of the FEACC, four of the suspects are the major actors in the unscrupulous act while the remaining four are in one way or another linked with the crime. 

The fact that one of the suspects is a foreigner indicates the scale of the crime and the danger it poses to the national security. It is recalled that the FEAC C had earlier arrested a South Korean in connection with similar telecom scam. 

The suspects, who appeared in court on 21 November 2008, used to provide the services in nine areas here in the capital using internet and computer training centers as well as various offices as cover-up. 

Investigations are underway to arrest other suspects who had a hand in the crime. 

The FEACC would like to urge the general public to cooperate with it in hunting down other suspects implicated in the crime and refrain from using such illegal service as it causes significant losses on the government and even worse endangers the national security.

 

Corruptors jailed, fined cash for illegal land provision 

Addis Ababa-(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court gave prison terms ranging from one and half to 10 years plus cash fines to five individuals convicted of illegal land provision here in the metropolis. 

The charge filed by the FEACC stated that the five convicts, all former employees of the Gulelle sub-city administration, put their hands in the illicit provision of over 27,000 hectares of land for individuals who were not organized in accordance with the appropriate condominium-organization regulations. 

The land illegally provided to these individuals is valued at over 13.5 million Birr, calculated by the current lease price, the charge says. 

As the convicts failed to defend themselves against the charge, the court on November 5, 2008 gave the 1st convict, Kifle Eshete, who was land development team leader and engineer with the sub-city, nine years of rigorous imprisonment and 2,500 Birr fine. 

The penalty he received includes the prison term he is already serving for a previous conviction. 

Similarly, Shiferaw Asgedom, the 2nd convict in the same file, got one and half years of rigorous imprisonment. Shiferaw was previously working as house and land contract execution head with the sub city. 

The court also gave the 3rd convict, Tareke Nurgi, who was land holding contract registration officer with the sub-city, 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and 2,500 Birr in fine. 

The penalty he received includes the punishment he is already serving for another conviction. 

Similarly, the 4th convict Desalegn Abate, who was surveyor at the sub city, got eight years behind bars and 2000 Birr in fine. 

Mesganaw Seid, who appeared before the court as 5th convict in the same file, was also sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment. 

The 4th and 5th convicts were working as surveyor and associations’ promotion acting team leader with the Gullele sub city administration, respectively.

 

FEACC takes part in 3rd IAACA  annual conference 

Addis Ababa-FEACC- October 16, 2008- A delegation led by Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E. Ato Addisu Mengistu, attended the 3rd Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Anti- Corruption Authorities (IAACA) held from October 3 to 6, 2008 in Kiev, Ukraine. 

The conference organized under the theme “Criminalization and Law Enforcement measures” has the objective of facilitating implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). 

Sideline workshops on constituent elements of corruption offense in the public and private sectors, evolution and challenges of criminalization, co-operative relationship among anti-corruption agencies, international cooperation in tracing and recovering assets obtained through corruption, as well as protection of witnesses, experts and victims were held as part of the grand conference,  the Deputy Commissioner indicated. 

The FEACC had the chance to present a  paper that focused on corruption and the private sector, the Deputy Commissioner said and noted that taking part in the conference was a good opportunity for the FEACC to further spearhead the anti-corruption battle in the country. 

The conference has provided the participants with a remarkable chance to discuss and draw lessons from each others experience with a determined aim of combating corruption more effectively, so as to assist the implementation of the UNCAC, according to the Deputy Commissioner. 

More than 120 member states of the UN have so far ratified the UNCAC, Addisu said and underlined that the move was appreciated during the conference as a reflection of the growing global commitment to combat corruption. 

Election of member states that would fill vacant seats at the IAACA executive committee was also held on the course of the conference. 

Participants of the conference have also appreciated the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria, Vienna, with the joint efforts of the Interpol and the United Nations Organization for Drug Control (UNODC), the Deputy Commissioner said. 

Representatives of anti-corruption authorities of 107 UN member states and 13 international organizations that converged at the conference have discussed and adopted a 27 point draft resolution on the way forward. 

Established in 2006, the IAACA has the objective of providing a forum whereby national authorities are able both to strengthen their domestic anti-corruption systems and procedures, and also develop cross-border channels of communication and cross-border institutional relationships.--Ends--

 

Court gives prison terms, cash fine to corruptors

 Addis Ababa- FEACC-October 21, 2008 

The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court gave five years of rigorous imprisonment for two individuals each as they were found guilty of corruption offenses of various forms. 

The charge filed by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) says that Tesfaye Dires Gennaw, who was a mechanic at the power maintenance section of the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), ripped-off some 74 barrels of engine oil from September 2001 to November 2003. 

The convict committed the fraud by preparing 18 fake request documents and putting phony signatures on the documents to deceive workers and officials of ETC’s storehouse, the charge reads.  

Meanwhile, an individual who goes by the name Teshome Alemayehu Gurbachew was charged by the FEACC for allegedly preparing fake tax payer files, forms and receipts for 61 individuals while he was working as documentation and data encoding expert at kebelle 07 of the Kolfe Keraniyo Sub-City in Addis Ababa. 

According to the charge, the convict prepared 61 counterfeit tax payer files by deleting names and file numbers of original tax payers from May 2005 to January 2006. 

He was also charged with severe fraud and corruption offense for collecting 4257.70 Birr using the false documents and preparing fake land holding documents for several individuals. 

After looking in to the cases, the court recently gave five years of rigorous imprisonment plus 2,000 Birr fine to Tesfaye Dires Gennaw and five years of rigorous imprisonment to Teshome Alemayehu  Gurbachew.

 

Corruptors get prison term, cash fine 

Addis Ababa- FEACC- Oct29, 2008- The Dire Dawa Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced Deputy Sergeant  Mohammed Hussien and other four individuals to six years of rigorous imprisonment and 3,000 Birr fine each for committing corruption offense while they were on duty. 

Four former members of the Dire Dawa Police Commission, Deputy Sergeant Mohammed Hussien, Deputy Sergeant Mekbib Teshome, Constable Mathios Teferra, Constable Mekonnen Tesfaye and Kiros Gessese, who was employee of the Dire Dawa Customs Office, were all convicted of violating the 1997 E.C criminal code by grabbing money while they were on duty, according to the charge filed by the FEACC. 

The five defendants grabbed 164,000 Birr that belonged to Awale Lamre, an individual victim and who was on board on a vehicle heading from Bekae town to Dire Dawa on August 25, 1998 E.C. 

The convicts took the stated sum of money after stopping and rummage-around the vehicle in the pretext of searching for contraband goods, the charge reads. 

After looking in to the evidences produced by the prosecutor, the court passed the decision against the defendants on October 23, 2008.

 

FEACC presses charges against S. Korean,9 accomplices over telecom fraud

Addis Ababa- FEACC- Oct 03, 2008-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) on October 02, 2008 filed charges against a South Korean citizen who is in custody for allegedly involving in a telecom scam. 

The charge filed by the FEACC states that the South Korean who entered to Ethiopia using tourist visa was rendering international telephone call service using telecom gadgets illegally imported from abroad. 

The Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (EINSA) has confirmed that using the telecom gadget, which the convict utilized to make connections with a server installed in South Korea, is unlawful. 

The charge also counted four former employees of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) who sold 21 blocked and unused SIM cards to the South Korean and assisted him to secure license for the provision of Broadband Internet Service, which is not allowed for foreign citizens. 

Moreover, five individuals who have been illicitly providing international telephone call service using the ID and pass word they obtained from the South Korean have also been charged. 

The telecom fraud committed by the South Korean and his accomplices from October 2007 to August 2008 cost the ETC over 4,527,845 Birr, according to the charge. 

After looking in to the charges, the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court rejected the bail request of the convicts and adjourned the case until October 14, 2008.              

 

FEACC, Transparency Ethiopia hold panel discussion 

Addis Ababa- FEACC- September 26,2008- " Corruption and  the Private Sector", a panel discussion  co-organized by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and Transparency Ethiopia (TE) a civil society organization  engaged in fighting corruption was held here at the Ghion hotel on September ,2005.

The half day panel discussion was organized based on the agreement the FEACC and TE reached earlier to hold successive forums that aimed at raising public's awareness towards ongoing anti-corruption moves. 

Opening the panel discussion, Deputy Commissioner of the FEACC, Addisu Mengistu underlined that the forum is of paramount importance to highlight that combating corruption should be a primary issue in materializing the ongoing peace, development, democratization and good governance efforts. 

Some private organizations in a society with high prevalence of corruption often got involved in corrupt practices to enjoy illegal benefits, the Deputy Commissioner said and added that such a move makes the majority of the private sector ineffective in their business conducts. 

Four research papers were presented and discussed on the course of the panel discussion that attracted about 70 participants from various government and private institutions. 

Presenters of the research papers gave briefings on the concept of corruption crime emphasizing on the causes and measures that should be taken to prevent corrupt practices that are frequently witnessed in the private sector.

 

Ombudsman of Rwanda expresses readiness to work with FEACC 

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Ombudsman of Rwanda expressed readiness to work in partnership and collaboration with the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC) in the areas of human rights protection and corruption prevention.  

During the discussion he held with the Commissioner of the FEACC on 22 September 2007, Chief of the Ombudsman of Rwanda, Mr. Toti Rutaremara, commended the efforts being exerted in Ethiopia to eradicate corruption and underscored the need to lay down experience sharing programmes in a sustainable manner. 

He also attached significant premium on such programmes in preventing corruption and protecting human rights in the two sisterly countries. 

Commissioner Ali Sulaiman on his part stressed the necessity to intensify the national anti-corruption struggle in a bid to make sure that it wouldn't hinder the on-going development and democratization processes in the Country.

 

Corrupt revenue collector jailed 

FEACC - Addis Ababa - August 4/2000 

The Dire Dawa town High Court gave six years of rigorous imprisonment to an individual convicted of corruption offense. 

The charge leveled by the FEACC against Mersha Bogale Asfaw, former revenue collector at the Dire Dawa town revenue authority, stated that the culprit committed the corruption act by preparing fake documents. 

According to the charge, the convict illicitly consumed over 41,760 Birr by deleting & mismatching the amount of money on different copies of cash collection slips. 

The individual committed the offense during tax & tarrif collection held during 1999 E.C, the charge says. 

The court passed the ruling last week.

 

 FEACC arrests seven suspects of corruption crime 

FEACC-Addis Ababa- July 25, 2008- The Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (FEACC) arrested seven of the eight individuals suspected of taking part in a corruption offense committed at the Education Materials Manufacturing and Distribution Enterprise. The corruption offense involved over 980,000 Birr. 

The eight suspects have committed the corruption by allowing purchase of various inputs out of the tender regulation that requires procurement of materials estimated over 30,000 Birr should be held through open tender. 

It was confirmed that various inputs including hardboard , plywood, tyres, computers and printers worth over 980,000 Birr were purchased through direct procurement and limited-tender at different times. 

A variety of below-the-standard materials valued over 78,000 Birr have also been procured out of the necessary quality specification. 

The corruption offense incurred a financial loss, estimated at over 980,000 Birr plus an unidentified damage on the government. 

Seven of the eight suspects, including enterprise’s General Manager, former finance head, quality control expert as well as members of the procurement committee that put their hands in the corruption were arrested on July 22, 2008. 

The remaining suspect is still at large.

 

Four suspects in custody for consultancy tender scam

 FEACC-Addis Ababa- July 25,2008-The FEACC arrested four suspects for allegedly involving in a corruption committed at the Ministry of Federal Affairs that  resulted in the cancellation of over 1.39 million Birr grant provided by the World Bank for the execution of disaster preparedness and contingency plan in 23 pastoralist woredas. 

The FEACC on July 23, 2008 arrested the four suspects who were assigned at different positions of the Pastoralist Community Development Project Unit that was responsible for the execution of the disaster preparedness and contingency plan with the financial support of the WB. 

The suspects committed the swindle in the process of hiring a consultant firm for the project. 

The FEACC investigated the matter based on a letter the WB sent to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in November 2007 stating that the procurement of consultant firms was carried out in violation of the guideline set by the WB on selection and employment of consultants. 

Short listing consultants with out advertising for an expression of interest and awarding of three contracts on a direct-contract basis were also mentioned as violations committed by the officials in the process. 

As a result, the WB announced the cancellation of a 938,119 Birr fund from the grant agreement and requested reimbursement of 454,031.95 Birr which has been disbursed earlier for the procurement of the consultancy service. 

Four individuals including project’s policy and research, purchasing and finance officers have been apprehended and were brought before the court by the Commission.

 

Lawbreaker gets three years behind bars 

FEACC-Addis Ababa- July 14, 2008-The Amhara Regional State Supreme Court sentenced an individual convicted of committing corrupt practices by misusing his power   to three years’ rigorous imprisonment. 

The convict, Birelew Belay was charged for misusing his power with the intention of getting illicit gains while he was working as a contract employee at the Dangila Branch of the Agriculture Inputs Supply Enterprise, from February, 2000 to January 2004. 

The charge pressed against the convict says that the convict abused public property and twisted documents with the intention of obtaining illicit benefits amounting over 1,000 Birr during the stated period. 

As he was proved to commit the corruption offenses, the court on July 02, 2008 gave the Birelew Belay three years of rigorous imprisonment.

 


Corruptor gets prison term, cash fine for khat export scam 

FEACC-Addis Ababa- July18, 2008-The Dire Dawa City Administration High Court recently gave an individual, who was senior inspection officer at the Dire Dawa Airport customs office, six years of rigorous imprisonment and 8,000 Birr fine for corruption offense. 

The charge filed by the FEACC against the culprit, who goes by the name Moges Mulugeta Welede Semayat, states that the culprit was responsible to verify the volume of Khat  that is exported via the Dire Dawa Airport  with the volume allowed on the declaration slip and to make sure that Khat is not exported without letter of credit (LC). 

Putting aside his responsibilities, the charge says, the culprit facilitated export of 267,750 kilograms of khat from 2001 to 2002 to the Somaliland. He committed the fraud by reusing declaration slips and bank permission numbers that had already been used. 

The government, due to the corrupt offense, lost one million and 71,000 USD that it could have obtain had the stated volume of khat been exported legally, the charge reads. 

As he was unable to defend himself against the charges, the court gave the convict six years of rigorous imprisonment and 8,000 Birr fine.

 

Court sends corruptors to jail 

FEACC- Addis Ababa- July 10,2008- The First Criminal bench of the Federal  High Court sentenced Tesfa Saketa Keno, former head of general service at the Ethiopian Export Trade Promotion Agency and Iyassu Tesfa Gebrehiwot, his accomplice, to two years and one and half years rigorous imprisonment, respectively, for corruption offenses. 

According to the charge filed by the FEACC, the first convict Tesfa Saketa Keno abused his power for illicit personal gains while he was working as secretary of a tender committee set up at the enterprise for the procurement of books and magazines in 2001. 

The convict misused his power and produced fake documents with the intention of favoring Image International Private Limited Company, one of the competitors of the tender that submitted 230,308.19 Birr, which was higher than that of the price given by the other competitor, Ashock Malik General Importer, by 79,265 Birr. 

The charge also indicated that the convict denied Ashock Malik General Importer access to a letter the tender committee had prepared to get further explanation from the two competitors on 100 percent advance payment request by the latter. 

The convict had intentionally concealed a letter the tender committee had prepared to Ashock Malik General Importer, the charge says. 

The convict received 5,000 Birr bribe from the second convict, Iyassu Tesfa Gebrehiwot for favoring Image International Private Limited Company to appear as a sole competitor and won the tender. 

A financial loss amounting 79,265 Birr has been incurred on the government due to the corruption offense committed by the two culprits, it added. 

As they failed to refute the charge, the court on July 7, 2008 sentenced Tesfa Saketa Keno and Iyassu Tesfa Gebrehiwot to two years and one and half years of rigorous imprisonment, respectively.

 

Corruptors sent behind bars  

FEACC--Addis Ababa- July 11, 2008-The Yaka Sub city bench of the Federal First Instant Court sentenced four convicts found engaged in corrupt practices involving over 347,478 Birr to prison term ranging from 11 months to six years. 

The charge pressed by the FEACC indicated that the first convict, Teshome Brehane, who was working as security guard at the Ethiopian Select Seed Enterprise, collaborated with his accomplices to get illicit personal benefits through misusing his power. 

The convict collaborated and allowed the other convicts to break into a warehouse and garage of the Enterprise situated around Kazanchis area and take various auto spare parts worth over 347, 478 Birr. 

Accordingly, the FEACC accused the convict of corruption offenses and misusing public office for illicit personal gains. 

As they failed to disprove the charge, the court on July 7, 2008 sentenced the first convict Teshome Brehane to six years of rigorous imprisonment plus1000 Birr and the second convict, who goes by the name Kibruyisfa Teklie, to 11 months prison term. 

Meanwhile, as they were found guilty of collaborating with the first and second convicts, the court gave Tewfiq Oulena and Yousuf Hamdella, the third and fourth convicts in the same file, to four years of rigorous imprisonment each.

 

Commissioner calls for synchronized effort to prevent corruption 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)- Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman called for a synchronized effort to  prevent corruption, which is affecting national pride apart from hindering development endeavors. 

Speaking at a panel discussion co-organized by the FEACC and Transparency Ethiopia on 3 July 2008 under a theme "Corruption and Service Delivery in Ethiopia", Commissioner Ali said the costs of corruption would be devastating unless each and every citizen and institution join forces to fight it.  

Cognizant of the need for collective effort, the FEACC has been working in close partnership and collaboration with pertinent bodies, the Commissioner added. 

There is a tendency to associate corruption only with service delivery in government offices and enterprises, the Commissioner said, adding that corruption and improprieties being committed in the private sector deserve due attention. 

Explaining that the FEACC has been mandated to tackle corruption committed in the government offices and government enterprises, Commissioner Ali urged Transparency Ethiopia and other institutions engaged in the anti-corruption drive to  deal with corruption and other improprieties that are being committed in the private sector. 

Some three papers dealing with the historical background of  the civil service, loopholes conducive for corruption in the civil service, justice system as well as land administration were presented during the panel discussion.

 

Court gives jail terms to corruptors 

FEACC-Addis Ababa, June 18,2000- The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced two individuals found guilty of involving in corruption offenses to imprisonment and cash fines. 

The Court recently passed the verdict over Alebel Seleshi, who was working as a Teller at the  Kirkos Sub City Western Union Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and  Seleshi Seifu, former Supervisor at the stated branch of the CBE. 

The first defendant was charged by the FEACC on April 9,1999 E.C for abusing 142,895 Birr of the over 257,689 Birr he signed for and received from the head office of the CBE from February 19 to 21,1999 E.C. 

The second defendant, Seleshi Seifu was also charged in the same file for failing to supervise and made the necessary balance sheet of the stated three days on which the first defendant got access to take the money. 

Accordingly, the Court on May 28,2000 E.C sentenced Alebel Seleshi to six years of rigorous imprisonment and  fined 3,000 Birr as he was found guilty of abusing office for private gain. 

The second defendant, Seleshi Seifu  has also been given one year prison term as he was found guilty by the Court  for showing laxity in conducting his duties. 

 

Court sends corruptors to jail

 FEACC- June 18,2000, Addis Ababa- The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court  sent corruptors, who were found guilty of abusing their powers for personal gains, to jail. 

The Court on  June 12,2000 E.C  passed the guilty verdict on the defendants who were proven guilty and failed to defend themselves against the charges pressed earlier by the Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (FEACC) for illegally putting away  close to one million Birr by misusing their power. 

Accordingly,  the Court sentenced Girma Bekele Dadi, who was Head of Insurance and Accident Sub Department head with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a 12,000 Birr fine. 

The other defendant in the same file, Aneley Mussie Getu, who was Head of Asset Registration and Finance Department with the CBE, got nine years of rigorous imprisonment and 11,000 Birr fine. 

Other defendants, Dr. Kebede Tsige and Kidane Emeshaw, who  were proved to put hands in the corrupt practices along with the above mentioned offenders, also received seven years of rigorous imprisonment plus 10,000 Birr fine and five years of rigorous imprisonment with 8,000 Birr fine, respectively.

 

Corruptor gets 8 years behind bars, 5,000 Birr fine

Addis Ababa (FEACC): - The first Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court gave 8 years of rigorous imprisonment & 5,000 Birr fine for an individual found guilty of collaborating with 3 federal police members in corrupt practices. 

Aimro Wubet, along with 3 members of the federal police, was charged with intimidating & robbing an individual, Yunus Yasin, while the Victim was arriving at the Bole International Airport from Saudi Arabia on May 10, 2006. 

According to the charge filed by the FEACC, the convicts unlawfully arrested Yunus by telling him that he was on the list of people wanted by the government. 

The Convicts drove Yunus out of the Airport & later moved him to another vehicle that belongs to the federal police commission, the charge says.  

Then, the convicts robbed Yunus of 464,000 USD & other valuables, the charge reads. 

The court Therefore, gave Aimro Wubet 8 Years of rigorous imprisonment & 5,000 Birr fine on June 9, 2008.  

The court earlier gave 12 Years of rigorous prison term plus 5,000 Birr fine & 8 years of rigorous imprisonment with 2,000 Birr fine for Sergent Molla Temesgen & Constable Hassen Indris, respectively, who were found guilty of abusing their power & engaging in corrupt practices along with Aimro Wubet.  

Similarly, another convict in the same charge, Constable Ashenafi Berhe got 10 years of rigorous prison term & 3,000 Birr fine.

 

Members of former CBE management receive prison terms 

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The former members of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Management received prison terms ranging from one to seven and half years on 11 June 2008. 

The convicts were accused of contravening the Bank's regulations in providing loans, it was learned. 

The Federal High Court gave the verdict, as the convicts failed to refute the charges brought against them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC). 

The Former President of the Bank, Tilahun Abay, received the highest prison term, which was seven and half years.

 

Commission participates in 2nd IAACA Seminar

 ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)- The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) Participated in the second seminar of the International Association  of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) held in Chongqing, China from 14-23 May 2008. 

In the Seminar held under the theme, "Effective Preventive  Measures in the Fight against Corruption ", Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, H.E. Ato Ali Sulaiman,  delivered a speech on the activities the FEACC has been carrying out in an effort to prevent and control corruption. 

The fact that the FEACC has assigned ethics officers at public offices and public enterprises  was hailed as  a special feature, according to Commissioner Ali. 

Commissioner Ali said participants of the Seminar also  lauded the establishment of  ethics and civics clubs at schools throughout the country. 

Furthermore, the practice of  examining the working practices and procedures of public offices and enterprises, which the FEACC adopted from Hong Kong in order to plug loopholes believed to be vulnerable to corruption, has won wide acclamation, the Commissioner added. 

All in all, the participants commended the comprehensive approach the FEACC has been pursuing to prevent and control corruption and other improprieties, Commissioner Ali noted. 

The Commissioner said various anti-corruption authorities presented their respective organizational structure and working practices and procedures and discussion was held on them. 

According to the Commissioner, the FEACC has learned the need to  strengthen the surveillance and intelligence activities to  deal with the growing complexity and subtlety of corruption offences as countries that registered remarkable results in fighting  corruption had best used their surveillance and intelligence units. 

 Delegates from over 100 countries took part in the Seminar, it was learned.

 

Commission holds mapping session

 Addis Ababa (FEACC) - Senior members of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) and anti-corruption experts from the World Bank held a joint session on 29 April 2008 on mapping the second national corruption survey to be conducted in the years to come for the second time. 

During the session held at the Commission's Conference Hall, participants deliberated on the significance of conducting mapping before launching the second national corruption survey. 

The whole purpose of conducting the mapping is to establish a frame work for conducting the second national corruption survey. 

Accordingly, the participants forwarded ideas that could serve as an input to the mapping project. 

The FEACC will be conducting the mapping in partnership with the World Bank.  

 

Corruptors get 7 to 13  years of imprisonment 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 18 April 2008 sentenced Sem Wube  Eshete,  former Commercial Bank employee, and Eyosiyas Tesfamariam Esuamlak, his accomplice, to 13 and 7 years of imprisonment respectively for corruption offense. 

According to the charge filed against them by the FEACC, Sem, along with Eyosiyas and another accomplice who has been in the hideout, willfully prepared counterfeit document in order to swindle over 1,118,000 birr the Finish Evangelical  Lutheran sent to the Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus  through three different swift messages to be paid by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. 

By taking advantage of the code number he was able to know while carrying out his duties, Sem, who was a staff member at the foreign money transfer section with the International Relations Department of the Bank and his accomplices altered the names and addresses of the sender, the receiver and the paying branch bank on the swift message and deposited a total of over 1,118,000 birr into three bank accounts, which they opened for this particular purposes. 

The culprits withdrew over 1,050,000 birr from the accounts  and used it up. As a result, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia had to pay the above mentioned sum to the Ethiopian Evangelical Church, the charge reads. 

Therefore, the Court handed down the verdict as the convicts have failed to defend themselves from the charge pressed against them.

 

Commission arrests two suspects 

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) arrested two business men on 29 March 2008 for allegedly trying to bribe its surveillance officer  who was assigned to investigate an alleged corruption offence committed by them. 

The two individuals allegedly evaded tax when they imported 13-million birr worth commodities back in 2007 and the Commission had launched an investigation into the case as soon as the matter was brought to its attention. 

Then, the suspects approached the surveillance officer and pledged to offer him 150, 000 Birr in bribe in exchange for the immediate suspension of the investigation of the case. 

The surveillance officer, then, brought the matter to the attention of the Commission, which arrested the suspects red-handed while trying to bribe the officer. 

The Commission commended the surveillance officer for the professional and exemplar integrity he had shown in handling the case and rejecting the bribe.

 

Corrupt manager, his accomplice receive jail terms, fines 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced Mesfin Tekle,  former manager of the Federal Inland Revenue Authority in the Amhara Regional State, and his accomplice to 14 and 5  years of rigorous imprisonment respectively for extorting 750,000 birr 

 Mesfin Tekle, by breach of trust, intimidated owners of  a certain cotton mill saying that they owed the government 20,000,000 birr in sales tax when they actually owed the government  2,271, 121 birr. He also told them that they would be jailed, according to the charge pressed against them by the FEACC.

Then, he asked them to pay him 1,000,000 birr so that, he said, "you would be freed from everything". 

 Finally  Mesfin ordered the owners to give his sister, Sister Tizibt Tekle  750,000 birr, the amount the owners eventually agreed to pay him. 

Consequently, the charge reads, Tizibt had received a total of  750,000 birr from the owners and Mesfin, through his sister, delivered the owners in return a letter explaining that they owed the government only 2085 birr. 

The Court  recently handed down the verdict after the convicts failed to defend themselves against the charge.  

 

Court sends corruptors to jail

 Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The Federal High Court gave two corruptors three years of imprisonment each on 25 March 2008 for their involvement in corrupt activities. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, Ashenafi Gebre Michael, was found guilty of conspiracy to get away with criminal charges pressed against him.  

The accused reportedly manipulated a former police constable, the first defendant, to defect through a false promise to facilitate the employment of the latter in South African companies. He was admitted to the Police Hospital claiming that he was sick, it was learned. 

Then, the second defendant tranquillized a second police officer (who was assigned to guard him) with a drug and escaped with the first defendant. 

The first defendant, Andualem Mekonnen, received 5000 Birr from Ashenafi, after the two escaped to Woliso, it was learned. 

The court found Andualem Mekonnen guilty of assisting Ashenafi Gebre Michael in exchange for the 5000 birr he received in bribe. 

 Ashenafi Gebre Michael got the jail term for his involvement in corruption scandal and other criminal acts.

 

Former Bank employee gets 18 years 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of  the Federal High Court recently  sentenced former secretary of  foreign banks  with the Construction and Business Bank, Alemu Tekle, to 18 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 10,000 birr. 

According to the charge the FEACC filed against the convict, the convict has prepared false tickets and documents by simulating that the bank had bought foreign currencies and cheques from a friend of the convict, against whom the FEACC also pressed charge. 

The convict then deposited 1,264,850 birr in the bank account of his accomplice as if the documents and tickets had been audited and signed by the pertinent heads. The sum deposited in the name of the accomplice was drawn on various occasions and used up by the convict and his friend. 

The convict has failed to defend himself against the charge of serious fraud brought against him by the FEACC.

 

Three former ETC employees land in jail for corruption offense

 ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court recently sentenced three  former employees of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) and a businessperson to three years' imprisonment each. 

Kassa H/Giorgis, former manager of  East Addis Ababa branch office with ETC, Abiyot Asefa, former marketing section head of East Addis Ababa branch office with ETC and Tegegn Girum, former customers' service head of the East Addis Ababa branch office with ETC were found guilty of illegally issuing license to an individual to make international calls through his five wireless lines by breaching the regulations and guidelines issued in connection with wireless telephones. 

The charge pressed against them  by the FEACC explains that Kebede Tirfe, who illegally received the license, had not  paid the government over 621,000 birr, the amount of money he collected by offering the lines to his customers to make international calls between 22-29 July 2005. 

By abusing their power, the four culprits willfully caused the government lose significant amount of money, the charge reads. 

The court passed its verdict on the culprits after the latter failed to defend themselves against the evidence corroborated by the FEACC.

 

Staff member arrested for alleged corruption offense 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) apprehended a staff member that goes by the name Weleli Zeru Bekele for allegedly receiving money saying that he would terminate in return the case of an individual whose case has been under investigation in connection with illegal land proprietorship here in the capital. 

Weleli, who was working at the Department of Corruption Prevention with the FEACC, was arrested on  16 March 2008. 

The FEACC brought the suspect before the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 17 March 2008 and demanded a two-week time to carry out further investigation for which the court gave its approval. 

It is to be recalled that the FEACC had earlier filed charge against another staff member who was caught red-handed while receiving bribes pledging in return to terminate the case of a housing cooperative, which the FEACC considered illegal.

 

Corrupt Federal Police members receive jail terms 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court recently gave 8-12 years jail terms for three Federal Police members for robbing over 464,000 USD and other property. 

 The police members who had been on duty at the Bole International Airport on 2 May 1998 E.C robbed Ato Yonus Yasin by intimidating him while he was heading to his family, who were waiting to welcome him. 

According to the charge prepared by the FEACC, the convicts intimidated Ato Yonus, who had just arrived at the airport from Saudi Arabia, saying that he was a criminal who was wanted by the government and then drove him and his family by a minibus towards Bole ring road and finally they made his family members to get down somewhere in the road and drove away Ato Yonus. 

Eventually, the convicts got Ato Yonus boarded another car belonged to the Federal Police and received forcefully over 464,000USD. 

The FEACC prosecuted the three convicts for abuse of power to which they failed to defend themselves. 

As a result, Chief  Sergeant Molla Temesgen received 12 years rigorous imprisonment and was fined 5000 birr while Constable Hassen Indris got eight years rigorous imprisonment and was fined 2000 birr. The third convict , Constable Ashenafi Berhe, received ten years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined 3000 birr.   

 

Court denies bail to individuals suspected of gold scam 

ADDIS ABABA(FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) said the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court has rejected the bail request of individuals suspected of gold scam. 

Director of Ethics Education and Public Relations with the Commission, Berhanu Asefa, said that the suspects, who appeared at the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 21 March 2008, were denied bail. 

Charges would be pressed against the suspects shortly as a joint probe which had been conducted for the past three months by the FEACC, the Federal Police and the National Intelligence Services was finalized, Berhanu said. 

Transaction of  90 kilograms phony gold had been conducted between 2005 and 2007 with the then value of 158 million birr, the director said. 

Some 26 suspects were apprehended in connection with the fraud out of whom seven suspects were from the National Bank of Ethiopia and four suspects were from the Geological Survey while the remaining ones were businesspersons and their accomplices, according to the director. 

Office of the General Auditor, which was ordered to carry out audit, has completed its task and forwarded a 16-page report that corroborates the evidence found during the probe, he said. 

 The assets of  11 business firms belonging to the suspects and their accomplices have been frozen, he said, adding that a lot of gold and money was seized. 

Similarly, probe into 38 kilo grams of phony gold was well underway, the director added.

 

FEACC arrests alleged fugitive corruptor 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) caught one of the two individuals against whom it launched manhunt for alleged corruption offences in connection with land provision in Kolfe Keraniyo sub-city on 21 February 2008. 

Despite the announcement in the media to submit himself to the pertinent bodies, Nuredin Yasin Sabir had been in the hideout until he was caught by the FEACC. 

So far, three of the four suspects that were summoned through the media to submit themselves to the pertinent bodies for alleged corruption offences in the land provision have been put under control. It is to be recalled that two of them submitted themselves to the FEACC two months ago. The FEACC has intensified the manhunt to arrest the remaining one. 

The suspects had earlier won a lease bid that entitled them to obtain plots around the area called Furi. However, the suspects appealed to be granted another substitute plots claiming that the plots they had won was designated for green area. As a result, they were able to obtain plots with higher lease price and larger in size than the previous ones. 

The FEACC alleges that illegally collaborating with the former heads of the sub-city, the suspects gained undue advantages. 

In a related development, the FEACC on 22 February 2008 caught two prosecutors with the Ministry of Justice red handed while receiving 3000 in order to terminate in return the prosecution of an individual suspected of being a ruffian.

 

Commission apprehends staff member for allegedly taking bribe

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission caught one of its staff members and another who was a member of the Federal Police red handed while taking bribe on 24 January 2008. 

Tsegaye Hailu, who served as an undercover agent and escort of prisoners with the Commission, received the bribe promising in return to close the case of a certain housing cooperative, which was under investigation by the Commission for alleged illegality, claiming that he was intimate with the officials of the Commission and other government officials. 

The suspects were caught red-handed while receiving unspecified amount of money of the total 400,000 birr they demanded. 

It is to be recalled that the Commission has been on alert to act on the tips-off from the public following tips-off from some  segments of the public about the presence of some corruptors in the Commission.

 

Commission announces 107 alleged illegal housing cooperatives 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) has announced 107 housing cooperatives it claims to be illegal. 

The Commission has found these housing cooperatives illegal during a serious scrutiny it has launched lately in Kolfe-Keraniyo, Nefas-silk Lafto, Akaki-Kaliti, Bole, Yeka and Gullele sub-cities of the Addis Ababa City Administration. 

The housing cooperatives were organized indirect contravention of rules and regulations set for the coordination of housing cooperatives, it was learned. 

Some civil servants in the above mentioned sub-cities were implicated in this unscrupulous act as they were involved in organization and giving recognition to the illegal housing cooperatives. 

 The number of illegal housing cooperatives could rise in due course as the Commission was preparing to further probe into the sub-cities here in the metropolis in connection with housing cooperatives. 

The Commission has already filed charges against some of the housing cooperatives while the investigation of the remaining ones was in progress. 

 

Commission presses charges against an alleged corruptor

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) said that it had pressed charges against the former General Manager of the Marketing Department of the Akaki Metal Products Factory on 31 December 2007for allegedly committing corruption offences. 

According to the Commission, the accused has obtained six title deeds of urban land in direct contradiction to the land leasing laws and regulations of the Addis Ababa City Administration. 

He got the title deeds one after the other by claiming that he had no previous ownership of urban land at all, it was learned.  

The FEACC asserted that the defendant deliberately committed the crime with an intention of illegal prosperity.  

He also deposited over 200,000 birr, of which source was not disclosed, in different banks under his name, the Commission added.   

 

Court Sends Corruptors to Jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)- The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) disclosed that the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sent corruptors to jail recently for breaching trust. 

According to the Commission, Yeshitila Engida and Abebe Ahmed, who were both teachers of Mugher Community Secondary School, received five and one years of imprisonment respectively. 

The convicts were found guilty of illegally owning and using eight plasma TV decks and their accessories, which were the properties of the school, the FEACC said. The properties were estimated at 7, 274 USD, it was learned. 

In a related development, a customs officer and his accomplice received three and two years of imprisonment respectively for committing corruption, the Commission added. 

According to the FEACC, Tekeste Abraham, who was a Junior Taxation Officer at the Addis Ababa Airport, received the sentence for evading the taxation (estimated at 79,767.91 Birr) of a print cartridge weighing 829.5 kg  on a forged receipt prepared by himself.  

His accomplice, Alemnesh Worku, who was engaged in transit activities, was also found guilty of issuing the cartridge in the absence of a legal property issuance receipt.

 

UNODC keen to extend technical assistance to FEACC 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) expressed interest to support the efforts of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) in building its capacity. 

During talks with the senior management of the FEACC here on 5 December 2007, UNODC officials said their Office was ready to work in close partnership with the FEACC in the area of capacity building, namely institutional capacity and human resource development. 

According to the Commissioner of the FEACC, H.E. Ali Sulaiman, the UNODC has pledged to facilitate and coordinate short-and medium-term training programmes, both at home and abroad to staff members of the FEACC. 

To this end, the UNODC has agreed to send list of projects and the mechanisms of their implementation, with the full fledged implementation of the projects to follow, Commissioner Ali said. 

During the discussions, Commissioner Ali briefed the officials about the anti-corruption drive in Ethiopia, structure of anti-corruption authorities and the challenges the anti-corruption authorities were facing.

 

Corruptor sentenced to five years' imprisonment, fined 500 Birr 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced an individual who was found guilty of embezzlement to five years' imprisonment and fined him 500 Birr. 

Fikre Geze, who had served as bill distributor at the South Branch Office with the Addis Ababa Water and Sewage Service from 1990 E.C-1994 E.C budget years embezzled a total of 196,846 Birr belonging to the government. 

The culprit failed to defend the evidence corroborated against him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, which had brought a charge of corruption against him back in February 1998 E.C.

 

Corruptor gets seven years 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 13 November 2007 handed down a seven-year sentence to an individual who was found guilty of fraud. 

 Alemayehu Wolde, who was a petty casher at the Main Office of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, received the jail term for taking to his benefit 34,431 Birr by increasing the wages of unskilled laborers in the payroll through deletion and other means. 

In doing so, the culprit falsified the documents of the public and the government, according to the prosecutor of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. 

He also took 280 Birr for his personal benefit from 4,000 Birr earmarked to him for petty expenses. 

Similarly, the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced corruptor to five years of imprisonment and fined him 500 Birr on 6 November 2007. 

Tegene Ketema, who was an employee of the South Zone Telecommunication Office with the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation, took for his personal benefit 10,813 Birr, which he collected from customers as telephone bills.

 

                    Court sentences convict to four years of imprisonment

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced a defendant who was found guilty of committing corruption to four years of imprisonment. 

The Court passed the verdict on Alemayehu Qitessa on 29 October 2007 for receiving 1000 Birr in bribe by pretending to be an investigator of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) and holding a fake arrest warrant and identification card with the Commission's logo on it. 

The culprit traded on a case which was under investigation by the Commission and tried to secure illegal benefits from people on either side of the case, it was learned. 

According to the FEACC, it has been established beyond doubt that the defendant received 1,000 Birr in bribe from people on one side of the case promising to arrest their opponents in return, when he has no authority to do so.

 The convict also demanded 50, 000 Birr from the other side giving his fake word that he could avoid their arrest in return, it was learned.   

The FEACC said that it pressed the charges against Alemayehu back in September 2006.    

 

Corruptor receives ten years imprisonment 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Second Criminal Bench of the High Court handed out ten years of rigorous imprisonment to corruptor on 23 October 2007. 

 Eyob Bekele, who was Registration Desk Head with Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department, received the sentence for issuing forged pass port to Seada Nasir Hassen and demanding in retrurn 80,000 Birr. 

The charge brought to him by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) explains that the convict issued Seada a forged pass port under the name of Helen Bedru Hassen, by changing her real name that had appeared in her original pass port in the absence of any legal evidences that she has changed her name. 

The convict had failed to refute the evidences corroborated against him by the prosecutor of the FEACC, it was learned. 

As a result, the court sentenced him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and stripped him of public rights for three years.

 

Court sends convict to jail

Addis Ababa (FEACC)-The First Instance Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced the Former Head of the Logistics Department of a Battalion at the Federal Police Commission to two years of imprisonment for committing corruption. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Commission, Abdissa Muleta was found guilty of misappropriating logistic supplies allocated for the Battalion. 

According to Commission, the defendant withdrew 50 quintals of sugar and five cartoons of tea from the supplies stock illegally and sold them. 

The culprit withdrew the items fabricating fake requests by members of the battalion who were legally entitled to receive the logistic supplies, it was learned. 

The Commission claimed that the accused committed the crime at a time when the price of sugar sky-rocked so that he could benefit a lot from his misappropriation and embezzlement.    

 

Court sends corruptors to jail for bribery

 ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced two defendants who were working at the Gulele Sub-city Land Administration Department to three and two years of imprisonment for abuse of power and fraud on 17 October 2007. 

Kifle Eshete, who was formerly working in the capacity of Land Development Team Leader at the Gulele Sub-city and Tarekegn Nurgi, who was record officer in the same sub-city, included illegally the names of two individuals in the list of people who were to be given plots of land in compensation following Government's decision to give the land they were previously holding to the Ministry of defense. 

 The two individuals, who were illegally included in the list, were not at all entitled to such rights, as they didn't lose any land to the Ministry of Defense as the a result of the Government's move, the Commission said. 

According to the Commission, the convicts were caught red-handed while they were fabricating false evidence with a deliberate intention of legalizing the inclusion of the two individuals in the afore-mentioned list illegally. The Culprits were to receive 140,000 Birr in return, it was learned. 

According to the Commission, Kifle Eshete, the first defendant, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for producing fake title deeds for the individuals with an intention of getting undue advantage in return. 

While Tarekegn Nurgi, the second defendant, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment and was fined 5,000 Birr for trying to issue counterfeit certificates and other documents to ensure the legality of the inclusion of the names of the two individuals in the above-mentioned list illegally. 

The Commission pressed charges against the perpetrators back in April 2006, it was learned.

 

Commission obtaining valuable information from whistle blowers 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) said a lot of valuable tips- off are coming from whistle blowers through information boxes the FEACC placed at five sub-cities of the capital. 

The FEACC has received more than 200 tips-off within two months alone from information boxes placed at Kolfe-Keraniyo, Yeka, Bole, Nefas Silk-Lafto and Akaki-Kaliti sub-cities. 

The FEACC has passed decision on 60 of the tips-off it received through the information boxes. It investigated 23 of the complaints and referred them to the pertinent sub-cities requesting their reactions, it was learned. 

Conditions have been facilitated for the Ministry of Justice, the police and the FEACC to deal with the remaining tips-off. 

The FEACC has called on the residents to continue to blow whistle through the boxes placed as the information coming to the FEACC is indispensable to conduct investigation on corruption offenses. 

Preparations are underway to place additional information boxes at Arada, Addis Ketema, Lideta and Kirkos sub-cities as well. 

The availability of the information boxes makes whistle blowing easier and more efficient, according to the FEACC.

 

Embassy expresses readiness to work in collaboration with Commission

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Embassy of the United States of America expressed readiness to work in collaboration and partnership with the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) on various areas of cooperation. 

While holding discussions with the Commissioner of the FEACC on 14 August 2007, Ambassador of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Yamamoto, said that the achievements the Commission had so far been making were encouraging. 

He confirmed that the Embassy would provide the Commission with the necessary support so that the latter could keep improving its achievements. 

According to the Ambassador, capacity building, training and crime prevention will be the major areas of cooperation. 

He also stressed the need for a strong cooperation between the Commission and the Embassy on the extradition of corruptors who might flee their country after looting its wealth and resources. 

Visa fraud was also high on the agenda during the discussion, it was learned. 

 

Court gives 3 months to 6 years prison terms to 4 convicts under Assefa Abreha's file 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-The Federal Supreme Court on 10 July 2007 sentenced four of the seven convicts, including Seye Abreha, charged by the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) under Assefa Abreha's lawsuit. 

The court gave from three months to six years rigorous prison terms to the convicts. 

The Federal Supreme Court during a trial on 10 July 2007 had passed guilty verdict and gave three convicts, including Assefa Abreha, five to nine years prison terms, on separate file. 

The court on the same session sentenced both Seye Abreha and Meherte'ab Abreha for five years imprisonment each and 500 birr and 1000 birr fine, respectively. 

The court also passed a six-year imprisonment on another convict, Kahsay Abay whose case was seen in absentia. 

The court ordered the federal police to arrest and handover Kahsay Abay to the prison administration. 

The former Prime Minister, Tamrat Layne who has been serving 18 years of imprisonment on another file sentenced for three months imprisonment on this file.

 

Court sends corruptors to jail

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal High Court sentenced three corruptors to jail on 4 July 2007 for giving illegal construction and renewal permissions to 13 residents in Kolfe-Keranyo sub city in return to 26, 400 Birr that they received in bribe. 

The charge was brought to them by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) back on 20 October 2007, it was learned. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the FEACC, Murad Chakiso Kontano and Bizunesh Bacha Aredu received two years of imprisonment for their role in the afore-mentioned criminal activity. 

The third convict, Nesro Hussein Hassen, got one year imprisonment for brokering the above illegal activity with full knowledge that it was illegal, the FEACC said.  

 

House Endorses AU, UN Anti-corruption Conventions 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA/FEACC)-The House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed bills on the ratification of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in its 40th Regular Session on 3 July 2007. 

The House endorsed the Conventions after hearing the recommendations by Legal and Administrative Affairs and Foreign, Defense and National Security Standing Committees of the House. 

The recommendations in the bill said the Conventions would further strengthen the on-going anti-corruption struggle in the country. 

The House ratified the Conventions with majority votes, according to the Ethiopian News Agency. 

It is to be recalled that the Council of Ministers referred the Draft Conventions to the House for ratification after discussing and approving them in its 32nd Regular Meeting held on 30 March 2007. 

During the occasion, the Council said the Conventions were especially important in providing a framework for addressing cross-border issues related to corruption. 

The UN Convention Against Corruption was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 31 October 2003 at the UN Headquarters in New York. According to UN sources, it entered into force on 14 December 2005. 

On the other hand, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption was adopted by the Heads of state at the African Union Summit held in Maputo, Mozambique, on 10 July 2003.According to the African Union sources, it entered into effect on August 2006. 

 

Court sentences convict to five years of imprisonment, fines him one million Birr 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The 8th Criminal Bench of the Federal 1st Instance Court sentenced Daniel, Mekonnen, owner of the African Jewellery, to five years of imprisonment and imposed on him one million birr in fine on 1 June 2007. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Commission, the convict was deliberately acquitted earlier by the former Legal Department head and prosecutor of the Ethiopian Customs Authority and later made to stand trial through the interference of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC). 

The convict received the jail term and fine for trying to smuggle over 46 kg. gold bars out of the country. 

The court in its verdict accounted that the convict found guilty of trying to smuggle the stated precious item in violation of the country’s laws and regulations, which state that possession and transaction of gold bars must be carried out with full knowledge and permission of the National Bank of Ethiopia. 

The court ruled that the convict had to pay the one million birr fine in 15 days and the gold bars to be confiscated by the government. 

On 9 November 2005, the FEACC filed charge against the former Legal Department Head and the Prosecutor of the Ethiopian Customs Authority who, in abuse of authority, intentionally freed the convict earlier. 

Following the acquittal, the convict pressed charges for the return of the gold bars claiming that the Ethiopian Customs Authority acquitted him. The latest court ruling has overturned his claim, the Commission said. 

Having reviewed the evidence corroborated against the ex-head of the Legal Department of the Customs Authority as well as the ex-prosecutor of the same Authority by the FEACC, the 1st Criminal Bench of the High Court ordered the defendants on 25 December 2006 to defend their case.

 

UNDP to grant over 1.2 million birr to Commission 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to provide over 1, 268,000 birr to the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) in order to help the latter achieve its objectives. 

The grant is part of the agreement the two sides reached on 18 April 2007. 

The sum, which is due to be released in June this year, will be utilized for the expansion of ethics and anti-corruption education as well as building of the Commission's capacity. 

Similarly, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Government of the Netherlands have requested the FEACC for project proposals to financially support its programmes in the coming five years through the UNDP, it was learned.

 

Commission arrests 50 suspects,  files charges against 20

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) has apprehended 50 suspects in various sub-cities of the Addis Ababa City Administration in connection with illegal land provision and other corruption offences. 

The FEACC has already pressed charges against 20 of the suspects while preparation is in the pipeline to file charges against the rest. 

According to the Commission, the suspects arrested in connection with land provision are from Kolfe Keraniyo, Bole, Yeka, Lideta and Kirkos sub-cities of the capital. 

Those arrested in connection with other corruption offences were from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Customs Authority, Wanji Sugar Factory and the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency. 

The suspects were put under control for allegedly granting plots of land illegally and also allegedly substituting previously granted plots with larger and better ones for the same lease price. 

Also issuing illegal house plans and providing services to some people who are not eligible to get those services. 

Other detainees were put in custody for allegedly transferring a customer's money into one's own account, procuring sub-standard grains as well as allowing importation of machinery duty-free, when the importer has no right to import such a machine duty-free. 

The Commission vowed to continue cracking down on corruption in general and illegal activities in connection with land provision and ownership in particular. 

The Commission has also commended the significant contribution the different cross- sections of the society in the afore-mentioned sub-cities have made to make its efforts a success in cracking down on illegal activities surrounding land provision and ownership. 

The FEACC has also urged residents of the metropolis to continue supporting its efforts in this regard

 

Commission Arrests 32 Suspects  

FEACC (Addis Ababa) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) has arrested 32 suspects in five sub-cities of the Addis Ababa City Administration in connection with illegal land provision and ownership. 

According to the Commission, the suspects were arrested in connection with illegal land provision and ownership in Kolfe-Keranyo, Bole, Lideta, Yeka and Kirkos sub-cities since April 19, 2007. 

Chief among the suspects were senior and line officers from the Ministry of Defense and Police Departments, members of the business community, engineers, lawyers, heads of land administration departments, it was learned. 

According to the Commission, the suspects were arrested for being involved in illegal land provision and possession by flouting pertinent laws and regulations. 

They were, for example, involved in evading lease payments, providing and receiving land without proper and relevant documents, providing illegal house plans and committing other offences in connection with land provision and ownership, the Commission added.   

The Commission said that it finalized the investigation of all but few cases and was due to press charges against the suspects in no time. 

As to the suspects whose investigation was not finalized, the Federal High Court remanded them in custody.  

The Commission vowed to continue cracking down on illegal activities in connection with land provision and ownership in the metropolis. 

The Commission has also commended the significant contribution the different cross- sections of the society in the afore-mentioned sub-cities have made to make its efforts a success in cracking down on illegal activities surrounding land provision and ownership. 

The FEACC has also urged residents of the metropolis to continue supporting its efforts in this regard.  

 

Court sends 13 corruptors to jail 

FEACC (Addis Ababa)- The Supreme Court of the Amhara Regional State sent 13 corruptors to jail for embezzling the fund allocated for the Dur Bete-Shawra Road Construction Project, which runs from Western Gojjam to North Gondar. 

The convicts failed to refute the charges brought to them by the Amhara Region Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, which was delegated by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission to prosecute the culprits. 

According to the Court, seven of the 13 defendants, who were members of a committee established to deal with matters related to the payment of compensation for demolished houses and damaged properties upon the implementation of the project, were all found guilty of preparing fake documents to embezzle the fund.  

Chief among members the Committee, Ashagre Sitotaw, Administrator of Achefer Woreda, Fisaha Belachew, Engineer at the Dur Bete Municipality, and Endeshaw Mekuanint, Team Leader of the Disaster Prevention and Food Security Office with the Achefer Woreda, were all sentenced for four years of imprisonment. 

According to the Court, the remaining six defendants were accused of receiving a total of 170, 424 Birr in fake compensation from the Dangla Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, when they have no houses demolished or properties damaged during the implementation of the project. 

Accordingly, the court sentenced the defendants in the latter group for one year and two months of imprisonment, which they have already served. 

Law enforcement authorities were able to prevent the withdrawal of 163,402 Birr from the same Bank in a similar fashion, it was learned. 

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of the Amhara Regional State has appealed to a pertinent judicial body for a more severe punishment of the convicts, it was  learned.   

 

Commission arrests five suspects in connection with illegal land provision 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) apprehended five suspects from Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-city in connection with illegal land provision on19 April 2007. 

The Commission arrested three suspects working in land administration department of the sub-city and two other individuals suspected of benefiting from the illicit land provision. 

The suspects that appeared before the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on 20 April 2007 were remanded in custody until investigation is finalized. 

The charges will be brought against the suspects upon the finalization of the investigation, it was learned. 

 This latest move by the Commission is part of the pledge it had made earlier to bring before the law individuals implicated in the illegal land provision in Yeka, Bole, Akaki-Kaliti, Nefas Silk-Lafto and Kolfe-Keraniyo sub-cities here in the capital. 

The Commission said it would redouble efforts to investigate the cases in connection with illicit land provision in other sub-cities and bring the suspects before the law. 

Those  employees and individuals involved in the illegal land provision would face the consequences, the Commission added. 

The Commission thus warned individuals to refrain from joining illegal associations and paying membership fees since such actions are illegal. 

Land secured through illegal means will be confiscated and the offenders will be brought to justice, according to the Commission. 

The Commission said it was doing its level best to put in place efficient work procedures in order to overcome problems posed in connection with land administration in the Metropolis. 

The Commission reiterated that it has been doing everything in its capacity to investigate the cases in connection with illicit land provision and urged the public to rally behind it..

 

Ex-judge receives six years of rigorous imprisonment for bribery

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced former municipal judge of the Kirkos Sub-city, Tegegn Shiferaw, to six years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 1000 Birr for bribery.  

In the verdict it gave on February 26, 2007, the Court found the accused guilty of receiving 2000 Birr in bribe from a certain Yeshiwork Agignchew in exchange for speeding up the rectification of her marriage certificate.  

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC

 

Former judge receives 8 years of rigorous imprisonment for bribery 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC) - Shumalem Getachew,a judge who was working at the 12th Criminal Bench of the High Court was sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment and fined 2,000 birr. 

The convict received the jail term and fine for having been caught red handed while receiving 7,000 birr (seven thousand) in bribes from a certain Jafar Berehane on 26 January 2006. 

The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court passed the verdict on 14 February 2007 after the convict failed to refute the evidence corroborated against him by the Prosecution of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC). 

The FEACC pressed the charge against the convict on 14 February 2006, it was learned.

 

Guilty verdict passed on 23 corruption charges 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission said that guilty verdict was passed on 23 charges it filed against those already involved in corruption. 

Ethics Education and Public Relations Department Director, Kifle Yeshitila told the Ethiopian News Agency that the Commission has also received tips of corruption including evidences numbering 685 over the last six months of the current Ethiopian budget year of which 598 fall under its jurisdiction. 

The Commission has also begun probing into 128 new cases of corruption of which 19 cases were referred to the prosecutor, he said. 

Kifle said the Commission has been conducting periodic study on working procedures and practices of the Ethiopian Customs Authority, Electric Power Corporation and the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation. 

During the reported period, the Commission offered ethics and anti-corruption education to more than 9450 people, including students of higher learning institutions, employees of service rendering institutions in the metropolis as well as employees and inmates in prisons under the federal government, he said.

 

Commission arrests individuals for allegedly accepting bribes 

ADDIS ABABA (FEACC)-The Corruption Investigation Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission caught red-handed two auditors at the Revenue Department of the Kirkos sub-city in the capital receiving 10,000 birr in bribes on 11 December 2006. 

The individuals demanded a tax payer, who appeared at the Department to pay income and profit taxes of 1997 E.C, to pay them 30,000 birr in bribes so that they could reduce the tax the person owed to the government, which they said was a significant amount.  

The taxpayer agreed to give them 10,000 birr and promised to pay the remaining 20,000 birr after completion of the work. 

The suspects were caught red-handed while receiving the 10,000 birr at a hotel they met around an area locally called Megenagna on 11 December 2006. 

In the process of investigation, auditors confirmed that the taxpayer in fact owed the government not more than 11,000 birr, it was learned.

 

Court sentences corruptors to 6-8 years of imprisonment

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court sentenced seven corruptors to 6-8 years of imprisonment and fined them 2000-4000 Birr in a trial held on 24 November 2006. 

The convicts listed from 1-6 under Ahmed Idris’s file received six years of jail term and were fined 2000 Birr with the seventh convict receiving eight years of imprisonment and a fine of 4000 Birr. 

The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) had filed the charges against the convicts for allegedly stealing spare parts of vehicles belonging to the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency and estimated at over 67,000 Birr. 

The convicts listed from 1-6, who were then serving as guards at the Agency, conspired with the seventh convict and stole the spare parts on 2 September 2006, it was learned. 

They then allowed the other accomplice, the seventh convict, to drive a vehicle belonging to the Finance and Economic Development Office of the Arada Sub-City into the Agency’s compound and take the spare parts away, it was reported. 

The Court passed the verdict after the convicts failed to refute the evidence corroborated against them by the Prosecutor of the FEACC.    

 

Eight corruption convicts jailed 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA):- The Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court, on 17 November 2006,  sentenced eight convicts of corruption to prison terms ranging from six to 14 years. It also imposed fines on them. 

Accordingly, the Bench sentenced convicts Tilahun Mulugeta, Fistum Gebre - Egziabher and Shawl Aychluhim to 14 years of rigorous imprisonments and imposed a fine of 2000 birr on each. 

A six -year jail terms were given to Captain Zenabu Aydeur, Corporal Tibebu Kassa, Second Inspector Wubet Asemahegn, Chief Sergeant Alem Abreha and Second Corporal Kindeya Haddush. Each of these five convicts is also fined 1000 birr.  

Tilahun Mulugeta, Fitsum Gebre Egziabher and Shawl Aychluhim were jailed each to 14 years and made to pay the stated amount in fines for having instigated, instructed and coordinated the plot.  

The prosecutor of the Federal Ethics and Anti - Corruption Commission had filed the charges against the forenamed convicts for having taken 300,000 birr from their victim, Kebede Feysa whom they intimidated dubbing him member of OLF. 

The convicts squeezed the stated amount out of Kebede, from whom they demanded three million birr after they intercepted him while he was driving to his private office in the morning of the 4th Ginbot (May) in 1995 E.C.

 

Court sentences defendant to 12 years of imprisonment, fines him 30, 000 Birr 

Addis Ababa (FEACC)- The Federal High Court sentenced a defendant to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 30, 000 Birr on November 15, 2006 for a charge of betrayal of trust brought to him by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission on October 11, 2005. 

According to the Commission, Mengistu Shiferaw, a storekeeper at the Agricultural Equipment and Technological Services Share Company, couldn’t account for the 499, 652 Birr worth herbicide which went missing while he is in charge.   

The Commission urged the public to expose such corrupt practices in a sustainable manner.  

 

Court convicts eight individuals on corruption charge

 ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- The Federal High Court has convicted eight individuals accused by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission’s prosecutor for having squeezed money out of a man named Kebede Baysa, who they dubbed as member of OLF (an outlawed political entity), and whom they intimidated once again to receive more money from.

The 1st Criminal Bench found the eight individuals guilty of one or both of the two counts of the corruption charge at its hearing on 10 November 2006.  

Accordingly, Captain Zenabu Ayder and Corporal Tibebe Kassa were found guilty of committing the crime indicated by the 1st count; Second Inspector Wubishet Asemahegn, Chief Inspector Alem Abreha and Second Corporal Kindeya Haddush found guilty of commiting the crime indicated by the 2nd count. Tilahun Mulugeta, Fitsum Gebre-Egziabher and Shawl Aychluhm were convicted in both the counts. 

The first count of the charge relates that the convicts had dragged their victim at gun point and made him sign a 300,000 Birr cheque, which they later withdrew from the Awash Bank. The second count relates that the convicts had entered their target’s residence with a faked court warrant.  

It is stated in the charge file that, with Corporal Kindeya Haddush on a lookout outside, and Second Inspector Wubishet and Chief Inspector Alem inside Kebede’s house and about to take money from him by force-all three were caught red-handed. 

The hearing was adjourned until November 17 to pass sentence on the corruption convicts.

 

Court sentences defendant to 5 years of imprisonment,

fines him 2000 Birr 

Addis Ababa (FEACC) - The Federal High Court sentenced a member of the Federal Police to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 2000 Birr on December 10, 2006 for charges of bribery brought against him by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission back on March 19, 2004. 

According to the Commission, Deputy Inspector Mekuria Yitbarek, Crime Investigator at the Crime Investigation Bureau of the Federal Police, received 10, 000 Birr in Bribe on January 13, 2005 from a certain Tsehai Mesfin, resident of the Gullelie sub-city in the Addis Ababa City Administration, by promising to avoid her detention for sponsoring a fictitious murder of a certain Gabrila Figa.

The offender was arrested based on the information that the victim brought to the Commission, it was learned.

The convict reportedly promised to pass on the money to his bosses so that Tsehai would not be detained.

The Commission urged the general public to continue to expose such corrupt practices so that the offenders could not get away with their criminal acts.

 

Bank Teller Receives Jail Term, Fine 

The Federal High Court sentenced a bank teller to six years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 2000 birr on November 3, 2006 for being found guilty of serious fraud and forgery crimes, charges brought against him by the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC) back in 2004. 

Yisak Hassen, who was a teller at the Gullele Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, received the penalty for paying 41, 000 Birr to a certain Melaku Gizzaw (who has been missing since the arrest of his accomplice) by signing a local money transfer form himself. 

The convict reportedly imitated the signature of pertinent authorities and signed the document so that his partner in the crime could withdraw the money. 

According to the FEAC, the teller paid the money by creating a fake situation wherein the money was sent to Melaku from the Dufti Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, which was not the case.   

The FEAC vowed to redouble efforts to make sure that such criminals will not get away with their criminal acts and urged the public to rally behind it in fighting such offences.

 

Corruptors receive jail terms, fine

Addis Ababa (FEAC) - The Federal High Court sentenced two defendants to three years and six months of rigorous imprisonment and fined them 2000 birr each on October 22, 2006 for committing a corruption offence. 

Hilmneh Tesfaw, customers’ relation officer with the Ethiopian Airlines and resident of Addis, and Mohammed Juhar, senior transportation agent with the same organization and resident of the same city were charged with extortion in August 2004. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC), the two defendants received the jail terms and the fine for illegally facilitating the flight of two people through a forged passport under pseudonyms Alemayehu Gizaw and Selam Assefa.

The Commission substantiated the case sufficiently and the court gave its verdict in its favour, it was learned. 

Despite the illegal efforts of the convicts, the passengers were arrested before they leave for London, the Commission added.

 

Corruptors receive jail terms, fine 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-The Federal High Court on 12 October 2006 sentenced four individuals charged with corruption offences to 4-8 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them up to 10,000 birr. 

The First Criminal Bench sentenced Shimeles Abebe to eight years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 10,000 birr while Belayneh Workneh received four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 birr 

Tezazu Tadesse, whose case was handled in absentia and treated under Shimeles Abebe’s file, received six years of rigorous imprisonment and 10,000 birr fine while Zenash Meshesha was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined 2,000 birr. 

The court passed the verdict against Shimeles Abebe for illegally transferring over half a million birr belonging to other customers into accounts of the above-mentioned convicts while he was working as computer operator of customers’ deposit account at Akaki Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. 

Tezazu, Zenash and Belayneh received the jail term and the fine for withdrawing and using 445460, 26678 and 26000 Birr respectively, knowing that the sum did not belong to them but illegally transferred to their accounts by Shimeles.  

Though the court had allowed the convicts to defend themselves, they failed to do so while Prosecutors of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, who pressed the charges against them, substantiated their cases sufficiently, the court said in its verdict. 

According to the amended Criminal Code, such offences are punishable by up to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and liable to fine, the court said.

 

Ethiopia, China exploring ways of consolidating anti-corruption cooperation 

ADDIS ABABA (WIC)-Ethiopia and China expressed commitment to further cooperate in the drive against corruption and share experiences, Xinhua news agency reported. 

Gu Xiulian, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), who met the Ethiopian Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission delegation in Beijing on September 4, 2006 said her country is willing to carry out anti-corruption exchanges and cooperation with other countries, regions and international organizations on the basis of equality and mutual respect, according to the news agency. 

Gu added that the Chinese government is committed to social development, social fairness and justice and so had devoted significant resources to the fight against corruption. 

Ethiopian delegation leader, Commissioner Ali Sulaiman, on his part commended the efforts made and the achievements registered by the Chinese government in this field. He hoped the two sides would be able to further cooperate on anti-corruption endeavors and learn from each other. 

The delegation is paying a working visit to China with the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Supervision, it was learnt.

 

Commission Arrests Suspect

Addis Ababa (FEAC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC) arrested a suspect who has allegedly been accused of cheating through a false identity. 

According to the Department of Investigation of the FEAC, the suspect, who was a resident of the Alemgena Town, persuaded members of a family, who reportedly have had dispute over land ownership, to give him  a sum of money so that he could do them a favour in connection with the their case. 

In fact, the case had already been brought to the attention of the Commission and was under investigation, the Department said. 

The accused, who had a forged identification card as the Commission’s investigator, was alleged to have had an arrest warrant of the defendants in his possession allowing him to threaten and force them to give him 40, 000 Birr as bribe to avoid their arrest in exchange for the money. 

Had he not been arrested, the suspect, who had already received 1000 Birr of the stated sum, were to collect the balance later. 

He was also reputed to be making preparations to hammer out a deal with the plaintiffs to receive a big chunk of money in exchange for a quick arrest of the defendants, the Department disclosed. 

“It was amid such illegal transactions that the Commission was informed of the case prompting it to arrest the suspect in cooperation with the local community,” the Department said. 

“When the investigators moved to arrest the suspect at the ‘Mexico Square’, the latter tried to escape before he was apprehended with the help of the local community,” it added.   

“The forged documents that the accused was using to meet his illegal purposes are now in the hands of the Commission,” it was learned. 

The suspect was remanded in custody by the court until further evidence was gathered and additional investigation made. 

The FEAC has interrogated the suspect following his arrest and has been gathering additional information about the case, it was learned. 

Once the Commission finalizes gathering the necessary information about the case, it will immediately file charges against the suspect, the Department disclosed. 

The FEAC urged the Ethiopian public to report such cases to the Commission with a sense of urgency and responsibility so that the latter can deal with them before they cause some damage and harm. 

The Commission, which stressed the vital importance of public participation in the fight against corruption and impropriety, also called on the latter to continue to participate in the crusade against it with more vigour and determination.

 

Commission to press charges against 565 cases 

ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC) has disclosed it would press charges against 565 cases in the current Ethiopian fiscal year. 

In an interview with Walta Information Center, Commissioner of the FEAC, Ali Sulaiman, said the Commission would file charges against 210 allegedly serious corruption offences and 355 petty ones in the current fiscal year. 

Efforts would be deployed to secure the ruling and conviction of 110 cases that were brought before the court in the previous fiscal year, he added. 

Commissioner Ali said boosting execution capacity, expanding ethics and anti-corruption education, preventing corruption and impropriety, investigating and prosecuting alleged corruption offences were the major focus areas in the period reported. 

The Commission accomplished over 75 percent of its plan in the previous fiscal year, the Commissioner said. 

He said the public have now realized that the Commission was indeed in the vanguard of the anti-corruption campaign. 

The public are increasingly showing high interest and willingness in blowing the whistle on corruption with a sense of ownership and responsibility, he said.                       

The Commission has set to offer ethics and anti-corruption orientation to 25,500 students who are due to be graduated in the current fiscal year from three universities, according to the Commissioner. 

The Commission would enhance its relations with stakeholders, whose contribution is vital to the ongoing anti-corruption campaign, he said. 

The Commission would continue to examine the working procedures of public offices and enterprises and put forward recommendations and corrective measures with much fervor in a bid to correct procedures prone to corruption and impropriety, Commissioner Ali said. 

The Commission has plans to receive and handle about one thousand tips-off during the current fiscal year, he said, adding that the Commission will try to pass decisions on tips-off on daily basis. 

In view of the growing complexity and subtlety of corruption offences, it is imperative to equip the Commission with state-of –the art technology, he said. 

Commissioner Ali, however, noted that the budget earmarked to the Commission was not commensurate with the scope of its activities. 

The Commissioner called on the public to champion the cause of the Commission for the success of the on-going crusade against corruption. 

The budget allocated to the Commission for the current fiscal year was over 11.5 million birr, Commissioner Ali said.

 

Court sentences corrupt individuals

 ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-Two individuals convicted of corruption charges as filed against them by the prosecution of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission were sentenced to five and three years’ imprisonment. 

The corruption convicts were sentenced to the rigorous imprisonment on Monday, June 19, 2006 by the ruling of the First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court. 

The individuals had been found guilty of corruption they committed while serving as officials with the Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and Development Fund’s Gambella office, the Commission told the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) on June 20, 2006. 

One of the convicts who goes by the name Okok Ojulu sold out 15,003 corrugated iron sheets of 28 gauge to various contractors and workers during his office as general Manager of the ESRDF Gambella office for a period of three years, the Commission said. 

The other convict, Adamu Abiy was charged of taking per diems by faking field trip outings while he was head of the Social Infrastructure Department with the office, it said. 

The Bench in a trial on June 19, 2006 gave the convicts the prison terms after the prosecution charges had been corroborated with evidences while the convicts had failed to defend their cases.

The Bench also put a fine amounting to 2,000 birr on the first defendant who gets five years in jail, while the second defendant gets three years in jail.

 

Commission avails free hotline for receiving tips-off 

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)-The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC) has made available free hotline to encourage the public to provide tips-off on corrupt activities to the Commission. 

The availability of the hotline would have paramount importance to the Commission in fighting corruption, Principal Public Relations Advisor with the Commission, Berhanu Aseffa said on June 10 2006. 

The hotline has been made available to the public as of June 7 2006, he said, adding, any one who is willing to provide tips-off on corrupt practices and improprieties can communicate with the Commission by calling 994, for free. 

He said the public have been contributing a lot towards fighting corruption and exposing corrupt individuals and groups. 

The hotline would scale up the ongoing national efforts geared towards containing corruption, Berhanu said. 

The hotline remains open every day during office hours, he said, adding that, the Commission would receive tips-off even out of the office hours in the future if the need arises.

 

Commission Arrests Suspects

Addis Ababa (FEAC)- The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEAC) arrested the General Manager of the Wegagen Bank, Kidane Nikodimos and Former General Manager of the State-owned Development Bank of Ethiopia, Moges Chemere, on April 7, 2006, on suspicion that they have committed corruption offence. 

The two suspects were arrested in connection with an allegedly illegal credit guarantee bond contract signed between the two banks to open a standby letter of credit amounting to 6 million 645 thousand USD on behalf of a certain company (Addis Industrial PLC).  

According to the Prosecution Department of the Commission, Moges was arrested for issuing (illegally) a written undertaking to Addis Industrial PLC giving a guarantee and confirmation that the latter could open a letter of credit at the Wegagen Bank to import machineries from an American Company called 'Almi Corporation'. 

Almi Corporation is owned by two Ethiopian brothers, Mulugeta Guadie and Hailemichcael Guadie, it was learnt. 

The second suspect, Kidane Nikodimos, on his part, was arrested for agreeing to allow the Development Bank of Ethiopia (on behalf Addis Industrial PLC) to open the standby letter of credit at the Wegagen Bank, sources said. 

According to the sources, the agreement was signed in violation of the National Bank’s Directive No FXD /07/98. 

The Federal High Court suspended the implementation of the agreements, it was learnt.

 

Commission Presses Charges against Alleged Corruptors

Addis Ababa (FEAC)- The Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission pressed charges against four suspects, who were allegedly caught red-handed exporting stolen cables to Djibouti. 

The Department pressed the charges against two Indians, a Nepalese and an Ethiopian. 

In the charges of corruption it brought to the Federal High Court against the defendants on March 5, 2006, the Department asserted that the accused were exporting expensive cables, which were the properties of the Ethiopian Telecommunications and Electric Light Corporations, using packs of pieces of metal rods as a camouflage. 

According to some sources, the two corporations procured the cables for a huge sum of foreign currency. 

Nibretu Yigzaw, an employee of the Customs Authority, was reportedly accused of giving a safe passage for the truck carrying the stolen cables without searching it. 

The remaining three defendants were allegedly caught red-handed transporting the stolen cables to Djibouti, as the first defendant gave them the safe passage illegally.    

 

Court Sentences Corruptor to Seven Years of Rigorous Imprisonment 

Addis Ababa (ENA)-The Federal High Court sentenced a former employee of the Ministry of Water Resources to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 4000 birr on March 27, 2006 for committing corruption offence. 

According to the Ethiopian News Agency, the Court passed the verdict on Taddesse Kumma for forging two bank cheques in February, 2004 by putting an imitated signature on them to embezzle 36,425 birr of his employer’s money. 

The Court gave the verdict in favour of the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, which filed the charge against the convict.

 

Court Denies Bail to Defendants, Sends them to Jail

Addis Ababa (FEAC)-The Federal High Court denied bail to five alleged corruptors, who were charged with dispatching telephone and electric cables overseas, and sent them to jail until their trial. 

 The Court passed the verdict on March 20, 2006, on two Indians, a Nepalese and two Ethiopians for illegally dispatching the cables using packs of pieces of metal rods as a camouflage. 

However, the Court noted that the defendants could appeal for bail once files have been pressed against them. 

The defendants packed the cables in two containers, loaded them on a heavy truck and tried to transport it to Djibouti, sources said. 

However, the stolen cables, which were the properties of the Ethiopian Telecommunications and the Ethiopian Electric Light Corporations, were spotted in Afar Region by customs authorities on its way to Djibouti. 

Then, the case was brought to the attention of the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, which has been making preparations to press charges against the suspected defendants. 

According to sources close to the Corporations, the cables have reportedly been procured for a huge sum of foreign currency.       

 

Court Sentences two Corruptors to six Years of Rigorous Imprisonment 

Addis Ababa (FEAC) - The Federal High Court sentences two employees of the Ethiopian Airlines to six years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them 500 birr each. 

The Court ruled in favour of the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission by sentencing Girma Abera and Dawit Zewdie, Who were members of the Ethiopian Airlines staff, to six years of imprisonment. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, the defendants received the verdict for stealing three cell phone apparatuses and a battery charger from a traveler's package. 

The two loaders stole the apparatuses and the charger by rending the package apart illegally, it was learnt. 

The Department of Prosecution of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, which brought the corruptors to court on June 24, 2005, has been following up the case since then. 

 

 

  Court Sentences three Corruptors to Rigorous Imprisonment 

Addis Ababa (FEAC)-The Federal High Court sentences three corruptors to 2-8 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them a total of 10, 000 birr on February 27, 2006 for committing corruption offence. 

According to the Prosecution Department of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, the Court passed the verdict on two employees of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation and one businessman. 

A technician for customers’ telephone lines, Hailemichael Haregewoin, and the Corporation’s driver, Elyias Abdushikur were found guilty of stealing 118, 850 meter cable which they sold to a businessman, Sefa Abdurehiman. 

The price of the cable was estimated at 84, 383 birr, it was learnt. 

The court has, therefore, sentenced Hailemichael to 8 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 5, 000 birr with the second defendant receiving 7 years of rigorous imprisonment and 3,000 birr in financial penalty. 

The third defendant, who was accused of deliberately hiding the stolen cable and purchasing it illegally, was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and penalized 2,000 birr.

 

Bank Teller Receives Ten Years of Rigorous Imprisonment

Addis Ababa (FEAC) - The Federal High Court sentenced a bank teller at the ‘Arat killo’ Branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 10,000 birr for committing corruption offence. 

The First Instance Court passed the verdict on Beyene Mekonnen on January 26, 2006 for stealing 100,000 birr from the bank, at which he was working as a teller, through forgery. 

According to the Court, the prosecutor of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, who pressed the charge against the defendant, has presented sufficient evidence to support and substantiate the case. 

According to the new Criminal Law, committing such an offence, which is a mix of fraud and betrayal of trust, is punishable by rigorous imprisonment ranging from 5-25 years. In addition to that, the offenders are fined a maximum of 100,000 birr.