JFJ: Lawmakers facing illicit enrichment probe should step aside from IC oversight committees

  

Advocacy group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has joined in on the conversation surrounding the now eight parliamentarians being investigated for illicit enrichment by the Integrity Commission, saying those under probe should not be publicly named.

 

That position comes against calls from the public for the Integrity Commission to name the parliamentarians under investigation.

 

JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson says there is a need to strike a balance between transparency, public interest and ensuring natural justice is realised.

 

Despite the group's stance, Ms. Jackson holds that it is unsuitable for a member being investigated to be seated on any parliamentary committee that provides oversight of the Integrity Commission. 

 

"JFJ has...recognised that those who serve in the highest office of the land must be held to higher standards. And therefore, we find it very inappropriate for any member of Parliament who may be on the oversight committee of the Integrity Commission or who may be on the Joint Select Committee reviewing the Integrity Commission Act to continue to sit on those parliamentary committees," she insisted. 

 

The Integrity Commission in its 2023/2024 annual report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday said two additional parliamentarians were being investigated, bringing to eight the number of parliamentarians identified as having unexplained wealth in their statutory declarations.