A former general manager of a US-based trading company dealing in car accessories, wanted by the ICAC, was today (Thursday) extradited from Australia to Hong Kong to face prosecution for allegedly accepting illegal rebates totalling over $940,000.

Ng Ship-ping, 63, formerly employed by Custom Accessories Asia Limited (Custom Accessories), was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Sydney in August last year at the request of the Hong Kong government.

Accompanied by two ICAC officers, Ng boarded a flight in Sydney this morning.

Ng will be charged with 25 counts of agent accepting an advantage under Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He will be brought to the Eastern Magistracy tomorrow (Friday) morning.

It is alleged that Ng, while being employed by Custom Accessories, had accepted over $940,000 in illegal rebates between February 1997 and May 2000 for placing purchase orders with suppliers.

Ng left Hong Kong in May 2002, and was subsequently found arriving in Sydney. A warrant for his arrest was then issued by a court in Hong Kong in June 2002, after the Department of Justice advised that the above charges be laid against him.

In April 2003, the Department of Justice made a formal request to Australia for the surrender of Ng.

Since his arrest by AFP in August last year, Ng was remanded in custody, pending extradition proceedings.

In October last year, an Australian court ordered that Ng be surrendered to Hong Kong.

The Australian Minister for Justice and Customs signed a surrender warrant for the return of Ng in May this year.