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1 – 10 of 81Over a decade since the Special Criminal Court (SCC) was established in Cameroon, hundreds of individuals have been indicted, tried and convicted. Sentences have been imposed…
Abstract
Purpose
Over a decade since the Special Criminal Court (SCC) was established in Cameroon, hundreds of individuals have been indicted, tried and convicted. Sentences have been imposed, most of which include a term of imprisonment (principal punishment/penalty) and confiscation as accessory penalty or punishment. Research focus has not been directed at the sentences which, as argued in this paper, are inconsistent, incommensurate with the amounts of money stolen and a significant departure from the Penal Code. This paper aims to explore the aspect of sentencing by the SCC.
Design/methodology/approach
To identify, highlight and discuss the issue of sentencing, the paper looks at a blend of primary and secondary materials: primary materials here include but not limited to the judgements of the SCC and other courts in Cameroon and the Penal Code. Secondary materials shall include the works of scholars in the fields of criminal law, criminal justice and penal reform.
Findings
A few findings were made: first, the judges are inconsistent in the manner in which they determine the appropriate sentence. Second, in making that determination, the judges would have been oblivious to the prescripts in the Penal Code, which provides the term of imprisonment, and in the event of a mitigating circumstance, the prescribed minimum to be applied. Yet, the default imposition of an aggravating circumstance (being a civil servant) was not explored by the SCC. Finally, whether the sentences imposed are commensurate with the amounts of monies stolen.
Research limitations/implications
This research unravels key insights into the functioning of the SCC. It advances the knowledge thereon and adds to the literature on corruption in Cameroon.
Practical implications
The prosecution and judges at the SCC should deepen their knowledge of Cameroonian criminal law, especially on the nature of liberty given to judges to determine within the prescribed range of the sentence to be imposed but also consider the existence of an aggravating factor – civil servant. They must also consider whether the sentences imposed befit the crime for which they are convicted.
Originality/value
The paper is an original contribution with new insights on the manner in which sentencing should be approached by the SCC.
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Mathias Chukwudi Isiani, Stanley Jachike Onyemechalu, Somtochukwu C. Osinem, Sopuluchukwu Amarachukwu Dimelu and Ngozika Anthonia Obi-Ani
This study examines the cultural history of the Api-Opi deity in Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State of Nigeria. The study sets out to examine the re-emergence of youthful worshippers of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the cultural history of the Api-Opi deity in Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State of Nigeria. The study sets out to examine the re-emergence of youthful worshippers of Api-Opi, despite the penetration of Christianity in the area.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed ethnographic observation and field visits to the shrine of Api-Opi in Opi community of Enugu State, Nigeria. In addition, this study uncovers new information drawn from semi-structured interview questions undertaken in the study area between March and October of 2019.
Findings
Against certain claims on the impact of Christianity on Africa's traditional religions, the study found that the Api-Opi deity has withstood these post-colonial changes, growing its followership, particularly amongst the youths. It demonstrated the resilience of Igbo Traditional Worship System even in the midst of culture clash and religious iconoclasm advanced by Christianity in Igboland, Nigeria.
Originality/value
Evidence from this study helps debunk the notions of Eurocentric scholars who say African traditional religions are fetish, barbaric or primitive. It also shows how indigenous communities have protected and preserved their religious heritage despite the wave of modernization and other eternal influences. The study contributes to the increasing conversations about the role of traditional religion in the cultural resilience/revitalization of indigenous communities.
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INDIA: Qatar development hints at diplomatic win
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES284384
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
AD won the March 10 election by a narrow margin, well short of a majority, with the outgoing Socialist Party (PS) a close second and the radical right Chega in third. Together…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB285998
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Meiryani, Sani Muhamad Isa and Johan Muliadi Kerta
In the case of money laundering (ML) originating from the predicate crime of corruption, law enforcers find it difficult to prove all or the existence of a predicate crime on…
Abstract
Purpose
In the case of money laundering (ML) originating from the predicate crime of corruption, law enforcers find it difficult to prove all or the existence of a predicate crime on assets that produce assets. This paper aims to analyze ML in corruption cases in Indonesia.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses qualitative descriptive methods. This research discusses the law enforcement of corruption which coincides with the crime of ML.
Findings
New findings were discovered where against the corruption case which was carried out concurrently with the crime of money laundering, the value of which was Rp. 1bn and above and has been handled by investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), so the prosecution process is carried out by the public prosecutor from the KPK to continue the trial to the Corruption Court. With respect to cases of criminal acts of corruption, which were carried out concurrently with ML crimes, the value of which was Rp. 1bn and below and had been handled by the prosecutor’s investigators from the start, the prosecution process was carried out by the public prosecutor from the prosecutor’s office to continue the trial to the corruption court.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use normative perspective on ML in corruption cases (white-collar crime). In contrast to previous studies that take fraud in general as an object of research, researchers are now interested in focusing more research on detecting suspected ML crimes: a case study on corruption cases in Indonesia.
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The paper discusses a range of aspects of the spread of sportswashing within top-flight football, identifies the motivations of its proponents, what is on offer to football clubs…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper discusses a range of aspects of the spread of sportswashing within top-flight football, identifies the motivations of its proponents, what is on offer to football clubs, their followers and local communities and the ways in which it coheres with the nature of the modern game.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of disparate literature, both academic and non-academic, is synthesised to provide a broad-ranging introduction to the spread of sportswashing within top-flight football.
Findings
Sportswashing is likely to increase within top-flight football in future years as a result of its resonance with aspects of the game's evolving nature. Resistance to its continuing spread presently appears improbable.
Originality/value
As relatively recent development within football, the sportswashing topic has produced a limited literature to which this paper contributes.
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The government statement announcing the news alluded to “violations” and “shortcomings” that adversely affected public opinion and the CPV’s reputation. Thuong became president on…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB286120
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Betty Jane Punnett, Lemayon Melyoki and Thomas Senaji
This paper presents insights on expatriates in Africa and sets out a research agenda for Africa’s expatriation. The objective of the paper is to provide background and context on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents insights on expatriates in Africa and sets out a research agenda for Africa’s expatriation. The objective of the paper is to provide background and context on expatriation in Africa and to stimulate and guide further research in this important area.
Design/methodology/approach
The reviewed papers were drawn from journals and other sources that reported on expatriation to/from African countries. It also incorporates an array of literature on contextual African issues, exploring conceptually how these relate to expatriation.
Findings
The review confirmed that there is little research on the topic, particularly with respect to outward expatriation and the studies that exist are one of a kind and stand alone. There has been no attempt to build systematic theory or develop a wholistic picture. This means that the field is wide open for more research. The data provide a picture of the current expatriate situation, including numbers, demographics, host/home locations, success rates and so on, and are provide a basis for further research developing and testing hypotheses regarding individual, organizational and country/national characteristics and how these influence and relate to expatriate experiences and outcomes. Researchers can also draw on the existing expatriation literature from around the world for replication studies to identify uniquely African issues as well as similarities with other locations. As Selmer (2016) noted, replication research is widely used in the sciences and is at the core of the scientific method and thus should be considered for expatriation research.
Research limitations/implications
Limited previous research means there is a need for further research.
Practical implications
Expatriation is a critical aspect of companies operating internationally and companies are increasingly interested in doing business in African countries. Africa's economic growth and development are strong and foreign direct investment (FDI) into Africa is growing with consequent increases in the number of expatriates going to Africa. Understanding expatriation in the African context is thus very important to a variety of companies.
Originality/value
Management literature focusing on Africa is limited and this is true regarding expatriation. This means there is a need for researchers and practitioners to understand expatriation issues in this context, particularly considering economic growth on the continent, increasing interest in doing business there, along with increasing FDI and use of expatriates, as well as the expansion of African companies. This paper provides a research agenda as a guide on which researchers, including those in Africa, can build.
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This chapter investigates whether, and if so, how particular firms in a transition economy are involved in bribery. Built on pressure theories, we explain how the direct effects…
Abstract
This chapter investigates whether, and if so, how particular firms in a transition economy are involved in bribery. Built on pressure theories, we explain how the direct effects of firm characteristics and contextual characteristics determine firm bribery behavior. Entrepreneurs make choices based on perceptions of a specific pressure due to organizational characteristics (internal pressures) or due to context (external pressures). The relationship between firm characteristics, context, and bribery was estimated using unique data from a survey of 606 Vietnamese entrepreneurs. We controlled for various entrepreneurial, organizational, and industrial characteristics. The exploratory findings support firm attributes hypotheses, which is a negative relationship between firm size and bribery and a nonmonotonic U-shaped relationship between firm age and bribery. Besides, the effects of context on bribery are also found. Specifically, the result supports a positive relationship between competition and bribery and a negative relationship between the quality of the government and bribery.
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Ritab AlKhouri, Pashaar Halteh, Khaled Halteh and Milind Tiwari
This paper aims to outline how certain lessons from ethical systems can be relevant and applicable to tackling unethical behavior, including financial crime, within the finance…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to outline how certain lessons from ethical systems can be relevant and applicable to tackling unethical behavior, including financial crime, within the finance profession.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a pragmatic perspective while acknowledging that there is a myriad of reasons managers act unethically, including the reality that many do so knowingly and deliberately. The matter is further complicated by human nature, given an individual’s behavior (ethical or unethical) is not easily discernable from their psychological, sociological, theological or cultural attributes.
Findings
Although such systems may not solve the problem of corrupt behavior, research suggests that industry professionals can learn to act in a more responsible and ethical manner. Given the wounded reputation of the financial sector, owing to their role in committing financial crimes such as money laundering, advances in ethical conduct would elevate both the effectiveness of the sector, as well as its reputation.
Originality/value
It is impractical to think we can completely resolve the problem of unethical behavior. Improvement, however, seems possible through promoting virtuous character traits and ethical behavior in individuals and organizations. Virtue ethics can play a significant role in combating financial crime and supporting anti-money laundering initiatives.
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