Ex-VP of HKEX charged by ICAC for alleged failure in complying with POBO to furnish property declaration in corruption investigation
2026-9-10
A former Vice President of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) was yesterday (September 9) charged by the ICAC for allegedly failing to comply with a notice issued by the Commission under a court order pursuant to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) which required him to furnish a statutory declaration regarding information including his property during an ongoing corruption investigation.
Geoffrey Tong Po-hang, 39, former Vice President of HKEX, faces one count of failing to comply with a notice issued under section 14(1) of the POBO, contrary to section 14(4) of the POBO. He was released on bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for plea tomorrow (September 11).
Under section 14 of the POBO, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person has committed a corruption offence, ICAC investigating officers may apply to the Court of First Instance of the High Court for a notice requiring such person to furnish a statutory declaration enumerating information including his property, expenditures and liabilities. Any person who fails to comply with such a notice may commit an offence under the POBO.
In the course of a corruption investigation, ICAC officers served a notice on the defendant in late September 2025, requiring him to furnish a statutory declaration enumerating information, including property belonging to or possessed by him during the three years preceding the date of the notices. The deadline for furnishing the statutory declaration was extended to March 2026 following the defendant’s applications.
The charge alleges that on March 12, 2026, the defendant, without reasonable excuse, neglected or failed to comply with the terms of the notice.
The defendant is suspected of failing to provide the ICAC with required information concerning 30 cash deposits totalling over $2.1 million made into his bank account.
The ICAC corruption investigation remains ongoing, with full cooperation from HKEX.
An ICAC spokesperson stated that corruption is a highly insidious crime. Legal powers are thus conferred on the Commission to combat corruption effectively. These include applying to the court for an order authorising the issuance of a notice pursuant to section 14 of the POBO, requiring a subject of an investigation to provide necessary information. The ICAC will take decisive enforcement action against any unlawful acts frustrating corruption investigations and pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.
Geoffrey Tong Po-hang, 39, former Vice President of HKEX, faces one count of failing to comply with a notice issued under section 14(1) of the POBO, contrary to section 14(4) of the POBO. He was released on bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for plea tomorrow (September 11).
Under section 14 of the POBO, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person has committed a corruption offence, ICAC investigating officers may apply to the Court of First Instance of the High Court for a notice requiring such person to furnish a statutory declaration enumerating information including his property, expenditures and liabilities. Any person who fails to comply with such a notice may commit an offence under the POBO.
In the course of a corruption investigation, ICAC officers served a notice on the defendant in late September 2025, requiring him to furnish a statutory declaration enumerating information, including property belonging to or possessed by him during the three years preceding the date of the notices. The deadline for furnishing the statutory declaration was extended to March 2026 following the defendant’s applications.
The charge alleges that on March 12, 2026, the defendant, without reasonable excuse, neglected or failed to comply with the terms of the notice.
The defendant is suspected of failing to provide the ICAC with required information concerning 30 cash deposits totalling over $2.1 million made into his bank account.
The ICAC corruption investigation remains ongoing, with full cooperation from HKEX.
An ICAC spokesperson stated that corruption is a highly insidious crime. Legal powers are thus conferred on the Commission to combat corruption effectively. These include applying to the court for an order authorising the issuance of a notice pursuant to section 14 of the POBO, requiring a subject of an investigation to provide necessary information. The ICAC will take decisive enforcement action against any unlawful acts frustrating corruption investigations and pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.