Outgoing Founding ACC Director General Paulus Noa Denies Political Interference During 20-Year Tenure
Outgoing founding Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Paulus Noa, says the commission operated independently throughout his 20-year tenure, insisting that no politician ever attempted to influence its investigations.
Speaking in a recent interview, Noa said no politician had approached him to advise or direct him not to investigate a specific corruption case.
He maintained that the ACC had been able to carry out its constitutional mandate without political interference during his time in office.
Noa attributed the commission’s independence to what he described as a government that respected the institution’s role and allowed it to perform its duties without interference.
Responding to questions about whether it was realistic that he had never faced pressure from powerful political figures over two decades, Noa stood by his position.
“There was no moment when a politician approached me and advised or even directed me not to probe into a particular matter,” he said.
Noa also challenged members of the public to produce evidence if they believed politicians had interfered with the commission’s work.
“I have challenged the public, and I am again challenging the public to come forward with at least a single piece of evidence regarding a particular politician,” he said.
He said he had consistently maintained this position publicly and that no evidence had ever been presented to support allegations of political interference in the ACC’s investigations.
The remarks come as Noa prepares to step down as the founding Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission after 20 years at the helm of the institution, ending a tenure that began when the ACC was established.
