Several high-ranking public officials will be dragged before the courts next week Friday.

Serving of the summonses on 17 accounting officers was expected to be completed yesterday. Dirk Harrison, acting deputy director of public prosecutions, told The Gleaner yesterday that a court date is set for the public bodies that failed to comply with a lawful requisition of the Office of the Contractor General (OCG).

"All of the matters have been set for next Friday at the Half-Way Tree RM (Resident Magistrate) Court," Harrison told The Gleaner late yesterday.

According to Section 29 of the Contractor General Act, the accounting officers could face up to 12 months in prison and or be asked to pay a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Last month, the Office of the DPP informed the OCG that the 17 public bodies would have been prosecuted for failing to submit fourth quarter 2006, first quarter 2007 and second quarter 2007 quarterly contract award (QCA) reports, within the prescribed time limits.

Meanwhile, the OCG formally referred another five public bodies to the DPP yesterday for their failure to submit their 2007 fourth quarter contract award (QCA) reports on or before the prescribed deadline.

A release issued yesterday by the OCG said the reports were required to be submitted to its office by January 31, 2008. Three of the five public bodies referred to the DPP were tagged repeat offenders because this was not the first time they have failed to submit the required reports.

The OCG reiterated that "any person who, without lawful justification or excuse, fails to comply with a lawful requisition of a contractor general, commits a criminal offence under Section 29 of the 1983 Contractor General Act".

QCA reports are required to be filed with the OCG, in arrears, within one month after the ending of each quarter. The QCA report regime was implemented by the OCG in May 2006 to boost probity and transparency in the government procurement and contract award process.