Renowned and astute female lawyer, human rights defender and social and political commentator, Basita Michael has in a social media post questioned the legitimacy of the ACC and the sincerity of the SLPP government in fighting corruption. In her post, she added that this poses the real risk of revenge when regime change happens, adding that as a nation, “We cannot afford to continue to be trapped in such a cycle of revenge.” 

She went further to state that whether it is true or not, for most people the continuous failure of the ACC to investigate countless allegations of corruption and abuse of power against members of the current regime in contrast to its enthusiasm to investigate and prosecute political opponents has unfortunately created the impression that the Machinery of the ACC is being used as a shield for members of the sitting government and as a sword against the opposition with the aim to eliminate political opponents and or keep them in check. This impression has been tightened and heightened due to the ongoing investigation of the Mayor. I humbly believe that perhaps the mistake that the ACC and the government are making is to realise that the harm of this impression on us as a nation far outweighs its benefits. Firstly, the impact of such impression questions the very legitimacy of the ACC and the sincerity of the government to fight corruption. Secondly it poses the real risk of revenge when regime change happens. We can’t afford to continue to be trapped in the cycle of revenge. We must avert the risks of that happening again to our beloved countrymen and women. It would therefore be ideal for the ACC and the government to change course and take on the fight against corruption impartially and avoid appearing to use their authorities as a weapon to repress opponents. Failure to do so will be detrimental to us as a country and risk undermining the strides the Bio regime has made.

Below is her social media post verbatim”