Proclamation No 433/2005

The REVISED PROCLAMATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL

ETHICS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the Government and the Peoples of Ethiopia recognize that corruption and
impropriety are capable of hindering the Social, Economic and Political development of
any country;

WHEREAS, corruption and impropriety are to be checked in order to promote and sustain
the development and the democratic process in Ethiopia; and to that end it has become
necessary to create a society which shall not condone but rather prepared to effectively
combat corruption and impropriety;

WHEREAS, it has been deemed necessary to amend the commission's establishment

proclamation to make its operation and activities be guided with the principle of
transparency and accountability, and carry out its activity with better efficiency; in order to
effectively fight corruption and impropriety through investigation, prosecution, and
prevention as well as through the promotion of ethical values in the society;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to redefine the powers and duties of the
Commission in line with the Criminal Code of The Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to make the attention of the Commission

focused on grand corruption;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to lay down detailed provisions enabling the
Commission to work in collaboration with other relevant investigation and prosecution
institutions;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to make amendments to certain provisions of

the Commission's establishment proclamation lacking clarity;

Now, therefore, in accordance with article 55(1) of The Constitution of The Federal
DemocraticRepublic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows;

Part One
General
1. Short Title

This proclamation may be cited as << The Revised Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission Establishment Proclamation No.433/2005 >>

2. Definition

In this Proclamation, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. "Commission" means The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

2. "Commissioner and Deputy commissioner" means the Commissioner and the
Deputy commissioner of the Commission respectively;
3. "Public Office" means any office of the Federal Government the budget of which is
fully or partially allocated by the Government and in which any government
activity is performed;
4. "Public Enterprise" means any Federal Public Enterprise or Share Company the
ownership of which is fully or partly owned by the Government.
5. "Public Official" means members of the House of People's Representatives and of
the House of the Federation, officials of the Federal Government above ministerial
rank, ministers, state ministers, vice ministers, commissioners, vice commissioners,
judges of the Federal Supreme Court, members of Regional State Councils,
officials of the Regional State above the Regional State bureau heads, Regional
State Bureau heads, judges of the Regional State Supreme Court, Council members
of the Addis Ababa City Administration and the Dire Dawa Administrative
Council, officials of the Administration above Bureau heads, Bureau heads and
such other officials of the Federal, Regional, Addis Ababa City Administration and
Dire Dawa Administrative Council of equivalent rank.
6. "Public Employee" means all persons, other than those referred to under sub-article
5 hereof, who are appointed, assigned, employed or elected and working in a public
office or a public enterprise of the Federal Government, Regional State, Addis
Ababa city Administration or Dire Dawa Administrative council.
7. "Ethics Infrastructures" means mechanisms, bodies, or procedures or the necessary
conditions and similar matters that will serve to reduce substantially unethical
conducts and to encourage efficiency and integrity in the public service;
8. "Serious Ethical Violations" means any ethical violation entailing dismissal, as per
appropriate code of conduct regulation.

9. "Serious Corruption Offence" means

a) Corruption offences involving huge amount of money committed in

highly strategic Public Office and Public Enterprise; or

b) Corruption offences involving a public official; or

c) Corruption offences which cause or capable of causing a grave danger to

the national sovereignty, economy, security or social life.

10. "Bank Account" means money, gold and similar precious materials and includes
any transactions made through the bank.

11. "Person" means natural or juridical person.

Part Two

Establishment and Powers and Duties of the Commission

3. Establishment of the Commission

1. The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (hereinafter referred to as

"the Commission") is hereby established as an independent Federal Government
body.
2. The Commission shall be accountable to the Prime Minister.

4. Independence of the Commission

Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (2) of Article 3 of this Proclamation, the

Commission shall be free from any interference or direction by any person with regard
to cases under investigation or prosecution or to be investigated or prosecuted.

5. Head Office

The Commission shall have its head office in Addis Ababa and may establish branch
offices in the Regions as may be necessary.

6. Objectives of the Commission

The Commission shall have the following objectives:

1. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to strive to create an aware society where

corruption will not be condoned or tolerated by promoting ethics and anti-
corruption education;
2. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to prevent corruption offences and other
improprieties;
3. To expose, investigate and prosecute corruption offences and impropriety.

7. Powers and Duties of the Commission

The Commission shall have the powers and duties:

1. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to combat corruption and other impropriety by

creating, awareness through educating the public about the effects of corruption
and the promotion of ethics in public service and in the society;
2. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to prevent corruption by studying or causing to
be studied the practices and procedures in Public Offices and Public Enterprises to
secure the revision of methods of work which may be conducive to corrupt
practices as well as follow up their implementation; and inform or remind the
relevant body, when deemed essential, to take the proper measures or give
decision, and advise or assist on same, upon request, any other persons;
3. To investigate or cause the investigation of any complaints of alleged or suspected
serious breaches of the codes of ethics in public offices or public enterprises; and
follow up the taking of proper measures;
4. To investigate and prosecute or cause the investigation and the prosecution of any
alleged or suspected corruption offences specified in the criminal code or in other
laws where they are committed by public officials or public employees or other
 persons in Public Offices or Public Enterprises, or in the Regional offices relating
to subsidies granted by the Federal Government to the Regions;
5. Where there is reasonable suspicion in connection with corruption offences, to
investigate and obtain information about, with the order of the commissioner, any
bank account of suspected persons; and cause the attachment, with court order of
same where necessary;
6. To freeze, by court order, the assets of any person who may be under investigation
for corruption; and cause, through court order, the forfeiture of any assets and
wealth obtained by corruption or its equivalent to the state or dispose same by or
without public auction;
7. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to register or cause the registration of the
assets and financial interests of public officials and other public employees
compellable to do so as specified by law;
8. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to facilitate the condition, for the protection of
physical and job security of witnesses and whistleblowers, provide protection of
the same in accordance with the law.
9. To establish and implement, upon approval, procedures and standards for the
selection of awards, upon competition, of persons or offices who are successful in
fighting and preventing corruption;
10. Apart from legislative and judicial bodies, to ensure the preparation or to prepare
and monitor the implementation of codes of ethics for Public Offices and Public
Enterprises; to provide upon request, advice to legislative and judicial bodies in
establishing their own codes of ethics;

11. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to coordinate other components of the

ethical infrastructures;

12. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to undertake research on ethics and

corruption; give support to other similar activities and to publish reports and
technical studies to further the purpose of the commission;

13. In cooperation with relevant bodies, to follow up and ensure the enforcement of
anti-corruption laws and give advice on the implementation of same;

14. To provide the necessary support to the Public Offices and Public Enterprises
in the establishment of ethics liaison units;

15. To provide the necessary advice and support to the regions;

16. To liaise and cooperate with national, regional and international bodies with
similar objectives;

17. To own property, enter into contract, to sue and be sued in its own name;

18. To perform such other duties as may be defined by law and undertake other
activities necessary for the attainment of its objectives:

8. Investigation of Corruption Offences by Other Organs

1. The Commission may delegate, in whole or in part, to Federal or Regional crime

 investigation bodies, as the case may be, a general investigation power of
corruption cases, other than grand corruption, from that it is vested under sub art 4
of Article 7 of this Proclamation.

2. Any Federal or Regional crime investigation body that is not delegated under sub
article 1 of this Article shall begin investigation of any alleged or suspected
corruption offences falling under the competence of the commission. It shall,
however, inform the commission of same forthwith.

3. The Commission may, upon receipt of the report as specified in sub article 2 of
this Article

a) investigate the matter by itself, or

b) cause its investigation, including grand corruption; be undertaken by the

reporting investigation organ or other organ, as the case may be. Details shall
be provided for in directives to be issued by the commission.

4. Where the Commission fails to react on the report it received under sub article 2
of this Article, the organ commencing investigation shall finish and send same to
the competent organ.

5. The Commission may cause the investigation of corruption offences it has started
investigating be undertaken by other investigating organs. Any such organ shall
undertake the investigation.

6. The Commission shall issue directives concerning the manners of reporting of

corruption offences investigation carried out by other investigating bodies as
provided in sub articles 2 t0 5 of this article and notify same to all concerned
investigating bodies.

9. Prosecution of Corruption Offences by Other Justice Organs

1. The Commission may delegate, in whole or in part, to Federal or Regional

prosecution offices or regional anti- corruption institutions, as the case may be, its
power of corruption prosecution.

2. Regional anti-corruption or prosecution offices may institute corruption offence

proceedings in the regional offices relating to subsidies granted by the federal
government to the regions. The Commission, when it deems necessary, may at
any time substitute the Regional anti-corruption office or prosecutor and enter into
the proceeding.

10. Organization of the Commission

The commission shall have;

1. A Commissioner to be appointed by the house of peoples' representatives

 upon nomination by the Prime Minister;

2. A Deputy Commissioner to be appointed by the Prime Minister; and

3. The necessary staff.

11. Organization of the Commission's Prosecution

The Commission's prosecution shall be organized and structured in such a

way that ensures its professional independence.

12. Powers and Duties of the Commissioner

1. The Commissioner shall be the chief executive of the Commission and, as

such, shall organize, direct and administer the activities of the Commission;

2. Without limiting the generality stated in sub-article (1) of this article, the
Commissioner shall have powers and duties:

a. to exercise the powers and duties of the Commission specified under

article 7of this Proclamation;
b. to employ, administer and dismiss officers of the Commission in
accordance with the provisions provided for in this Proclamation and the
administrative regulation of the Commission to be issued in line with the
basic principles of Civil Service Laws;
c. to prepare, following the provisions laid down in this proclamation and the
general principles of The Federal Civil Service Law, and submit the
administrative regulation to the Prime Minister and implement upon
approval.
d. to prepare the annual work program and budget of the Commission and
submit to the Prime Minister. Implement same upon approval;
e. to effect expenditure in accordance with approved budget and work
program of the Commission and in accordance with the financial laws;
f. to authorize, in accordance with the law, any officer of the commission to
carry out investigation or prosecution or to arrest persons who are
suspected of corruption;
g. to issue warrants to search and obtain information there from, of any bank
account of any person or organization if there is reasonable suspicion that
such is relevant to a case under investigation;
h. to represent the Commission in its dealings with third parties.
i. to submit performance and financial reports to the prime minister.

3. The Commissioner may delegate part of his powers and duties to other officials
and employees of the Commission to the extent necessary for the effectiveness
and efficiency of the Commission.

13. Powers and Duties of the Deputy Commissioner

 1. The Deputy Commissioner, shall:

a. assist the Commissioner in planning, organizing, directing and

coordinating the functions of the commission

b. follow up part of the Commission's departments by sharing functions in

accordance with the structure of the Commission;

c. act on behalf of the Commissioner in the absence of the latter;

d. perform such other duties as may be specifically entrusted to him by the

Commissioner.

4. The Deputy Commissioner shall be accountable to the Commissioner.

14. Term of Office and Removal from Office of the Commissioner and the Deputy
Commissioner

1. The term of appointment of the Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner

shall be for six years; he may, however, be reappointed where necessary.

2. Once appointed, the Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner may not be

removed, except on his own will, from his office unless;

a. he has violated the provisions of the relevant code of conduct;

b. he has shown manifest incompetence and inefficiency
c. he can no longer carry out his responsibilities on account of mental or
physical illness.

15. Employment of Officers of the Commission

The terms and conditions of employment, administration and dismissal of the

officers of the Commission shall be in accordance with the regulations to be issued
following the provisions laid down in this Proclamation and the general principles
of the Federal Civil Service Law.

16. Taking of an Oath

Any person shall take oath upon employment in the Commission declaring
that he carry out his functions with diligence and utmost commitment to the
constitution so that he fulfill the demands of public trust and professional
responsibility bestowed on him. Contents of the oath shall be determined by
the administrative regulation.

17. Rights of officers

1. Any officer of the Commission is entitled to a salary in accordance with the

 salary scale approved by the Government.

2. The salary of any officer may not be attached or deducted except in

accordance with,

a) the consent of the officer, or

b) court order, or

c) provisions of the law.

3. The amount deductible in accordance with sub article 2 (b) or (c) of this
Article may not exceed one third of the salary of the officer.

4. Any permanent officer of the Commission is entitled to a pension in

accordance with the Pension law.

5. Any officer of the Commission shall:

a) be provided with attorney service at the expense of the Commission

for any liability incurred while executing his duties properly.
Particulars shall be determined by the administrative regulation.

b) have the right to appropriately question superiors under any

circumstances, inform mistakes, resolve problems through discussion as
well as lodge complaints following the chains of command;

c) has the right to appeal as to be determined in the administrative

regulation.

d) be entitled to benefits provided in the relevant pension law for permanent,

total, or partial disability sustained in relation to his duties. Where the
officer who has sustained permanent total disability is a temporary officer,
he shall be entitled to compensation amounting to five times of his annual
salary.

e) receive an amount of compensation to be calculated on the basis of the

sum referred to in sub-article 5(d) of this article and proportional to the
degree of disability, where he is a temporary officer and the disability he
sustained is permanent partial.

f) where the injury he sustained causes serious deformity although not

resulting in disability, it shall be considered permanent partial disability
for the purpose of this Article.

g) May, after informing the Commission, engage in any other activity, which
may not have a conflict of interest with his duty, during his leisure time.
Details shall be the subject of regulations to be issued by the Commission.
18. Exemption from tax

Any pension allowance or compensation to be made pursuant to this proclamation

shall be exempt from taxation and may not be attached, deducted by way of setoff
or assigned by the beneficiary.

19. Suspension from duty

1. An officer of the Commission may be suspended from duty by withholding

his salary for a period not exceeding one months if that course of action is
necessary for the smooth execution of the work.

2. An officer shall be suspended if he is formally charged with a criminal or

disciplinary offence for which his dismissal is to be expected if it is proved
against him.

20. Period of Limitation

1. Disciplinary measure shall not be taken against an officer who has committed
an offense entailing simple disciplinary penalty unless such measure is taken
with six months, excluding the time required for investigation from the time
the breach of discipline is known.

2. No disciplinary charge shall be brought against an officer who has committed

an offense entailing rigorous disciplinary penalty unless such disciplinary
charge is brought within a year from the time the commission of the offense is
known.

3. The official who has failed to take the measures specified under sub-article
(1) or (2) of this Article shall be held responsible.

21. Budget

The budget of the commission shall be allocated by the Government

22. Books of Accounts

1.The Commission shall keep complete and accurate books of accounts.

2.The Commission's books of accounts and financial documents shall be audited

annually by the Federal Auditor-General.

Part Three

Miscellaneous Provisions

23. The Police and Prosecution Power of the Commission

The investigation and prosecution powers of the police and public prosecutor
 specified under the Criminal Procedure Code and other laws are hereby given to the
Commission with regard to matters specified in this Proclamation.

24. Establishment of Ethics Liaison Units

1. There shall be established Ethics Liaison Units at every level of Public

Offices and Public Enterprises the duty of which shall be to coordinate ethical
issues and advise the heads of the concerned bodies.

2. The liaison unit shall be accountable to the head of the concerned public
office or public enterprise.

3. The liaison unit's head or employee may be assigned by the head of the
concerned public office or public enterprise body through employment,
promotion or transfer. The qualification, work experience and ethical standards
required for the post may be determined in consultation with the Commission.

4. The liaison unit's work relation with the Commission shall be specified by
regulations.

25. Relations of the Commission with the Regional Institutions

1. The Commission shall work in cooperation and mutually supportive way with
the Regional ethics and anti-corruption institutions in areas of creating an
aware society which cannot tolerate corruption, as well as corruption
prevention, investigation and prosecution.

2. The Regional Institutions shall be accountable to the Commission when they

investigate and prosecute in accordance with the delegation given to them.

3. The Commission and the Regional ethics and anti-corruption institutions may
form a joint forum where they may deliberate on the success of their anti-
corruption activities and evaluate their performance. The Cmmissioner shall
preside over such forum. The joint forum shall:

a) draw up its own internal regulations;

b) exchange experiences in matters of corruption prevention, investigation

and prosecution as well as in the promotion of ethics;

c) devise joint directions with respect to training;

d) deliberate on studies presented by the Commission or Regional ethics and

anti-Corruption institutions; forward recommendations and measures to be
taken on the basis of the study to the proper government body, and ensure
their implementation.

4. The Commission and the Regional ethics and anti-Corruption institutions on

their part shall follow up the implementation of decisions adopted by the
 forum.

5. The Regional Ethics and anti-corruption institutions shall submit statistical

data and periodic report regarding the state of corruption offences in their
respective region to the Commission.

26. Duty to Inform and Cooperate

1. Public offices and Public Enterprises shall, without prejudice to

administrative or disciplinary measures they take, report to the Commission
serious ethical violations and corruption offences forthwith.

2. Any public official or public employee in a Public Office or Public Enterprise

shall report to the Commission where he has reasonable suspicion that
corruption offences are or are about to be committed.

3. Any person is duty bound to cooperate whenever cooperation and assistance

is required by the Commission in connection with its powers and duties. In
particular Public Offices and Public Enterprises having the necessary expertise
shall provide the Commission with the necessary professional support when
required.

4. Any investigator who has the power to investigate corruption offences may
require the production or examination of relevant documents or information
from any Federal or Regional Public Office and Public Enterprise. Any public
official or public employee in a public office or public enterprise of a Federal
or Regional Government shall show or produce relevant documents or
information when required by any investigator who has the power to
investigate corruption offences.

27. Penalty

Unless it is punishable with more severe penalty under other laws;

1. Whosoever attempts to influence, harm or punish or who influences, harms or

punishes any person who gives evidence or provides information relating to
corruption offences to the Commission, organs of judicial administration, head
of a Public office, or a Public enterprise shall be punishable with rigorous
imprisonment not less than three years and note exceeding fifteen years; and
with fine not less than Birr six thousand and not exceeding Birr twenty five
thousand.

2. Any official or staff of the Commission who abuses the powers and
responsibilities legally entrusted to him shall, in addition to the forfeiture of
any advantage gained therefrom, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment not
less than five years and not exceeding fifteen years, and with fine not less than
Birr three thousand and not exceeding Birr ten thousand.

3. Whosoever, with the intent to mislead the Commission or to injure others,

 submits a false report, allegation or evidence to the Commission shall be
punishable with rigorous imprisonment not less than one year and not
exceeding five years; and with fine not less than Birr three thousand and not
exceeding Birr ten thousand.

4. Whosoever commits a deceitful act by pretending to be the staff of the

Commission shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment not less than
three years and not exceeding ten years; and with fine not less than Birr five
thousand and not exceeding Birr fifteen thousand.

5. Whosoever refuses to cooperate with the Commission as provided for in sub

article 3 or 4 of article 26 of this article shall be punishable with simple
imprisonment not less than six months and not exceeding four years; and with
fine not less than Birr one thousand and not exceeding Birr five thousand.

6. Whosoever obstructs or attempts to obstruct the activities of the Commission

shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment not less than two years and not
exceeding ten years; and with fine not less than Birr five thousand and not
exceeding Birr twenty thousand. Where the offence is accompanied by
violence, the maximum penalty prescribed in this sub-article shall be imposed.

7. Whosoever publicize, disseminate, distribute without the authorization of the

investigator that an investigation of corruption offence is to commence or
underway, or about the act of corruption knowing that the case is under
investigation, shall be punishable with imprisonment not less than six months
and not exceeding four years; and with fine not less than one thousand Birr and
not exceeding five thousand Birr.

8. Any public official or public employee who, knowing the commission of a

corruption offence in his respective office, fails to inform shall be punishable
with simple imprisonment not exceeding five years and with fine not exceeding
ten thousand Birr.

9. Where the offences specified in sub-articles (1), (3), (4), (5), , and (6) of this
article are committed by juridical persons, responsible under the penal code,
the punishment with a fine shall be five fold.

28. Transitory provision

Any corruption cases or other cases related with corruption which have been committed
prior to the coming into force of proclamation no 235/93 and the investigation of which
have been just started, or undergoing, or finalized, or which have been in the process of
trial, shall continue to be handled and decided in the same manner

29. Repealed and inapplicable laws

1. Proclamation no. 235/1993 is hereby repealed.

2. All laws which are inconsistent with this Proclamation shall not apply on
 matters covered under this Proclamation.

30. Powers to Issue Regulations and Directives

1. The Council of Ministers may issue Regulations for the implementation of

this Proclamation.

2. The Commission may issue Directives for the implementation of this

Proclamation and the Regulations issued under this Proclamation.

31. Effective date

This Proclamation shall come into forces as of the 2nd day of February 2005.

Done at Addis Ababa, this 2nd day of February 2005

GIRMA WOLDEGIORGIS

PRESIDNET OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA