Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa
This insightful book explores the question of why there are so few successful corruption-related prosecutions in Anglophone African countries and considers how this situation can be addressed. John Hatchard analyses the unique challenges faced by anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors in effectively implementing the requirements of the criminalisation pillar contained in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.



Hatchard discusses the tension between proving corruption – that is, providing for effective investigations and evidence gathering, and utilising this to facilitate prosecutions – versus defending the corrupt – protecting the constitutional rights of those facing prosecution and challenging the admissibility of key prosecution evidence. He advocates for the adoption of the ‘Golden Triangle’ and a fairness approach. This requires balancing a triangulation of interests: protecting the constitutional rights of the accused, considering the interests of victims of corruption and maintaining the public interest in combating corruption effectively. Through analysis of anti-corruption legislation and judicial pronouncements, Hatchard demonstrates how to make the fairness approach effective with a view to strengthening the criminalisation pillar.



This unique and influential book is of worldwide interest for students and academics studying law, politics and business. Its practical insights will also greatly benefit anti-corruption agencies, legal practitioners, policymakers, law reformers, civil society organisations and the corporate sector.

1147211602
Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa
This insightful book explores the question of why there are so few successful corruption-related prosecutions in Anglophone African countries and considers how this situation can be addressed. John Hatchard analyses the unique challenges faced by anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors in effectively implementing the requirements of the criminalisation pillar contained in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.



Hatchard discusses the tension between proving corruption – that is, providing for effective investigations and evidence gathering, and utilising this to facilitate prosecutions – versus defending the corrupt – protecting the constitutional rights of those facing prosecution and challenging the admissibility of key prosecution evidence. He advocates for the adoption of the ‘Golden Triangle’ and a fairness approach. This requires balancing a triangulation of interests: protecting the constitutional rights of the accused, considering the interests of victims of corruption and maintaining the public interest in combating corruption effectively. Through analysis of anti-corruption legislation and judicial pronouncements, Hatchard demonstrates how to make the fairness approach effective with a view to strengthening the criminalisation pillar.



This unique and influential book is of worldwide interest for students and academics studying law, politics and business. Its practical insights will also greatly benefit anti-corruption agencies, legal practitioners, policymakers, law reformers, civil society organisations and the corporate sector.

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Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa

Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa

by John Hatchard
Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa

Proving Corruption and Defending the Corrupt: Constitutional and Evidential Challenges in Africa

by John Hatchard

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Overview

This insightful book explores the question of why there are so few successful corruption-related prosecutions in Anglophone African countries and considers how this situation can be addressed. John Hatchard analyses the unique challenges faced by anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors in effectively implementing the requirements of the criminalisation pillar contained in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.



Hatchard discusses the tension between proving corruption – that is, providing for effective investigations and evidence gathering, and utilising this to facilitate prosecutions – versus defending the corrupt – protecting the constitutional rights of those facing prosecution and challenging the admissibility of key prosecution evidence. He advocates for the adoption of the ‘Golden Triangle’ and a fairness approach. This requires balancing a triangulation of interests: protecting the constitutional rights of the accused, considering the interests of victims of corruption and maintaining the public interest in combating corruption effectively. Through analysis of anti-corruption legislation and judicial pronouncements, Hatchard demonstrates how to make the fairness approach effective with a view to strengthening the criminalisation pillar.



This unique and influential book is of worldwide interest for students and academics studying law, politics and business. Its practical insights will also greatly benefit anti-corruption agencies, legal practitioners, policymakers, law reformers, civil society organisations and the corporate sector.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781035307463
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date: 08/10/2025
Pages: 340
Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Hatchard, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Buckingham, UK, Visiting Professor, UN International Anti-Corruption Academy, Vienna and Vice-President, Commonwealth Legal Education Association

Table of Contents

Contents
Preface
1 Proving corruption and defending the ‘corrupt’: setting the
scene
2 Proof, truth and the Golden Triangle
3 The international and Africa-related anti-corruption
conventions and initiatives
4 Evidence gathering by domestic anti-corruption agencies and
related bodies
5 The admissibility of evidence derived from special
investigative techniques
6 International cooperation and the admissibility of evidence
obtained from abroad
7 Defending the ‘corrupt’, the rules of evidence and protecting
constitutional rights
8 The burden and standard of proof in corruption-related cases
9 Obtaining confessions
10 Addressing the wall of silence
11 The hearsay rule and the constitutional right to confrontation
12 Witness-related issues
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