Powers
The Ombudsman Act 1997 gives the Office the requisite powers to enable it to execute its functions efficiently and impartially; such as having unrestricted access to all offices and sections of all such offices, to access any information or any document even by seizure, and to put questions to any person and obtain evidence under oath.
The Ombudsman has powers to issue a warrant for the arrest of any public officer who refuses to respond to a summons issued by the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman has powers to determine the nature and extent of any investigation. Orders, writs and directions issued by the Ombudsman have the same force as an order, writ or direction of the high court
Jurisdiction
The Ombudsman has jurisdiction over all public offices.
The private sector is not within the remit of the Ombudsman. The following are not within the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman:
- the decision of any court of law or of any judicial officer in the exercise of his or her judicial functions;
- decisions of any tribunal established by law;
- any matter which is sub-judice;
- any matter relating to the exercise of the prerogative of mercy; and
- any matter relating to the affairs of the President