Civilians appointed to anti-corruption commission

(CNS): Sir Peter Allen, known for his time in the Ugandan judiciary during and after Idi Amin’s time in power, has been appointed to the Cayman Islands Anti-corruption Commission, along with Leonard Ebanks. The two civilians join the commissioner of police, the complaints commissioner and the auditor general on the body which will administer the new law passed in January of this year. Although the introduction of the legislation has been widely welcomed, criticisms have been made regarding the fact that the police commissioner will chair the board.

Given the delicate nature regarding potential corruption and law enforcement, some have said it may have been wise to place a different person at the head of the commission while still having police representation. An example of the potential future problem has been illustrated by expectations that one of the first things the Anti-corruption Commission is likely to review is the report of Operation Cealt regarding the information collected by the UK special police investigation Team (SPIT) that alleges police corruption.

The commission’s purpose is to consider and investigate any report of corruption, including any attempted offences or conspiracies to commit corruption. It will also analyse and disseminate any information about corruption or suspected corruption and assist overseas anti-corruption authorities with corruption investigations.

The commission also has the power, under the law and with the assistance of the Grand Court, to order a freeze on a person’s bank account or property for up to 21 days if there is reasonable cause to believe that the person is involved in corruption. Commission members can also request banks and other entities to release information needed in corruption investigations.

Sir Peter Allen, who has been a permanent resident of Cayman for the past 20 years, served for eight years in the British Royal Artillery before joining Uganda’s British Colonial Police, where he served for eight years as Assistant Superintendent. Following this, Sir Peter taught at the Uganda Law School, eventually serving as the school’s principal. In 1970 Sir Peter became the Uganda Judiciary’s Chief Magistrate and was later appointed as judge – serving at a challenging time of bloody revolt and governmental change in that country. In 1985, Sir Peter was appointed Chief Justice of Uganda, a post he held until he left the country a year later.

He was knighted in the New Year’s Honours of 1987 before he retired to Grand Cayman, where he has acted several times as a judge and chaired two commissions of inquiry. Sir Peter has also published several books about his experiences in Uganda, including Interesting Times.

Leonard Ebanks, who retired in 2004, had a distinguished banking career spanning 40 years. This included senior banking positions in Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Cayman Islands. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd, a position he held for over 23 years. He also holds the distinction of being the first Caymanian branch manager of a major international bank. Spanning four decades, Ebanks has served on numerous government boards, including as chairman of Cayman Airways Ltd and The National Housing Development Trust. In May 2001 he became one of three Constitutional Review Commissioners, marking the first time that Caymanians have been appointed to review their Constitution.

Ebanks currently is a trustee of the Public Service Pensions Board, serving as a member on the Human Resources and Investment committees, and chairman of the Audit Committee. Appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1987, he sits regularly on the Juvenile Court Bench and has served in the Youth and Summary Court. He also served as president of the Justices of the Peace Association.