Commission may require further information and inquiry into declaration

(1) Where, (a) upon an examination under section 12 of this Act, the Commission is not satisfied that a declaration has been fully made and is of the opinion that is necessary; or (b) after a certificate has been published in the Gazette under section 12 (2) of this Act and any person makes a written complaint to the Commission in relation to that certificate and the Commission, after consideration of the complaint, is of the opinion that the complaint should be investigated, the Commission may, (i) in writing request the person in public life concerned or the complainant to furnish such further information or documents as it may require, within such time as it may specify; Prevention of Corruption 19 (ii) in writing require the person in public life concerned to attend on the Commission at such time as may be specified by the Commission; (iii) make such independent inquiries and relating to the declaration or complaint as it thinks necessary; (iv) summon the production of documents and do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions; and (v) in respect of paragraph (b), in addition, summon the complainant, hear the complainant (who may be represented by an attorney) and any witnesses of the complainant in support of the complaint. (2) Where a person in public life is required to attend on the Commission pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, he or she has the right to be accompanied and represented by an attorney for the purposes of such inquiry and may require the Commission to summon such witness as he or she thinks necessary. (3) Where the Commission after conducting an inquiry in accordance with subsection (1) of this section into any complaint made under section 12(3) of this section, is satisfied that the complaint is groundless or has not been substantiated, it shall publish a statement in the Gazette to that effect, and in addition, where there is evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act either by the complainant or by the person in public life concerned, shall report the matter to the 20 Prevention of Corruption (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Commission may in any particular case for good cause, extend the time within which further information or documents are required by the Commission to be furnished pursuant to a request made under paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of this section.