Here is our selection of this week's anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of this week’s anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media:
Africa
Cameroon still corrupt despite improvement in transparency index - diplomats
TrustLaw, Senegal
Cameroon’s ranking in Transparency International’s corruption index may have improved but authorities in the west central African nation still need to take robust action against rampant graft, foreign diplomats say.
Cameroon plans special court to handle graft
TrustLaw, Senegal
Cameroon’s government is considering introducing a special tribunal to try people accused of corruption and other economic crimes, government-run TV (CRTV) reported.
Nigerian leader wants direct access to government funds blocked to curb graft
TrustLaw, Senegal
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is planning measures to cut authorities’ direct access to government funds in a bid to fight corruption.
Ethiopian illicit outflows doubled in 2009, new report says
The Wall Street Journal (Corruption Currents), U.S.
Ethiopia lost $11.7 billion to outflows of ill-gotten gains between 2000 and 2009, according to a coming report by Global Financial Integrity.
Twists in a South Africa corruption case prove telling
The New York Times, U.S.
South Africa’s former national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi, will be given an individual cell during his 15-year prison sentence for corruption because he is a former member of the security services.
Corruption bigger than crime, fraud
The Namibian, Namibia
Government corruption is a bigger problem than any other form of organised crime and fraud in Namibia, the World Bank said.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
Indian helpline to take on graft in public offices
TrustLaw, India
Anti-graft watchdog Transparency International is launching a free helpline service in India for people who have suffered at the hands of corrupt public officials.
A 10 US cent bribe lands Indian woman with two-year jail sentence
TrustLaw, India
An Indian court has jailed a woman and her employee to two years each after finding them guilty of soliciting a five rupee (10 U.S. cents) bribe while selling court stamp papers.
Afghanistan anti-corruption pledge at Bonn summit
BBC, UK
Afghanistan has pledged to step up its fight against corruption in return for international support after foreign forces withdraw in 2014.
Afghan anti-corruption watchdog threatens to quit
The Guardian, UK
The head of an internationally backed corruption watchdog in Afghanistan has warned that members will resign in protest if the government of President Hamid Karzai does not start prosecuting senior officials.
Europe
Serbia lost 80 million euros to corruption in nine months
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Serbia
Corruption cost Serbia 80 million euros in the first nine months of 2011, according to an investigation by the Serbian police.
UK postal service makes bribery warning over festive tips
BBC, UK
The UK’s postal service, the Royal Mail, has warned staff not to accept Christmas gifts valued at more than £30 for fear of bribery charges. In guidance on its website, Royal Mail said although it is the "season of goodwill", staff needed to be careful not to "fall foul of the Bribery Act".
North America
More than half of reported US bribes linked to govt - report
TrustLaw, UK
More than half of bribes reported in the United States since 2007 were made by individuals associated with the U.S. government, a report by TRACE International showed.
First FCPA jury conviction of a corporation overturned
TrustLaw, UK
The first corporation to go to trial by jury for violating U.S. foreign bribery laws had its conviction overturned on appeal, with the judge delivering a scathing rebuke to prosecutors about their actions both in the investigation and during the trial itself.
Latin America
Colombia uncovers million dollar education scam
TrustLaw, Colombia
Colombia’s government has spent tens of millions of dollars in education subsidies for some 180,000 students who were falsely enrolled in state schools across the country, the education minister has said.
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