Prevention of Corruption Act · 2019 Revised Edition · Part · Evidence
27. Evidence of pecuniary resources or property
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
In any proceedings against a person for an offence under Part 3
(other than section 12), the fact that the accused was, at or about the date of or at any time since the date of the alleged offence, or is, in possession, for which he cannot satisfactorily account, of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to his known sources of income, or that he had, at or about the date of or at any time since the date of the alleged offence, obtained an accretion to his pecuniary resources or property for which he cannot satisfactorily account, may be proved and may be taken by the court as —
corroborating the testimony of any witness giving evidence in such proceedings that the accused accepted or obtained or agreed to accept or attempted to obtain any gratification; and
Prevention of Corruption
showing that such gratification was accepted or obtained or corruptly agreed to be accepted or attempted to be obtained as an inducement or reward.
For the purposes of subsection (1), a person accused of an offence under Part 3 (other than section 12) shall be presumed to be or to have been in possession of pecuniary resources or property, or to have obtained an accretion thereto, where such resources or property are or were held, or such accretion was obtained by any other person whom, having regard to his relationship to the accused or to any other circumstances, there is reason to believe is or was holding such resources or property or obtained such accretion in trust for or otherwise on behalf of the accused or as a gift from the accused.
Terms defined in s 2
gratification
Defined · s 2“gratification” includes — (a) money or any gift, loan, fee, reward, valuable security or other property or interest in property of any description, whether movable or immovable; (b) any office, dignity, employment, contract or services and any agreement to give employment or render services in any capacity; (c) any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability whatsoever, whether in whole or in part; (d) any valuable consideration of any kind, any discount, commission, rebate, bonus, deduction or percentage; (e) any forbearance to demand any money or money’s worth or valuable thing; (f) any aid, vote, consent or influence or pretended aid, vote, consent or influence, and any promise or procurement of, or agreement or endeavour to procure, or the holding out of any expectation of, any gift, loan, fee, reward, consideration or gratification within the meaning of this paragraph; (g) any other service, favour or advantage of any description whatsoever, including protection from any penalty or disability incurred or apprehended or from any action or proceedings of a disciplinary or penal nature, whether or not already instituted, and including the exercise or the forbearance from the exercise of any right or any official power or duty; and (h) any offer, undertaking or promise of any gratification within the meaning of paragraphs (a) to (g);
Part