A woman was today (Thursday) charged by the ICAC for allegedly failing to comply with a notice to answer on oath questions relating to a corruption inquiry allegedly involving a police officer.

Chan Wai-hing, 40, property agent, will appear at Eastern Magistracy tomorrow (Friday) at 9:30 am on one count of failing or neglecting to comply with a notice issued under Section 14(1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO).

Under Section 14(1)(d) of PBO, where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence under PBO has been committed, the ICAC Commissioner may apply to the Court of First Instance to serve a notice to any person, whom the Commissioner believes t o be acquainted with facts relevant to the corruption investigation, requesting him to answer orally on oath questions relating to the investigation.

Any person who fails to comply with a notice served under the provision is liable to prosecution under Section 14(4) of PBO.

The charge alleges that on July 23, 2003, Chan, having been served with a notice issued under the said PBO provision on July 4, 2003, failed or neglected to comply with the notice without reasonable excuse.

The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending her court appearance tomorrow.