Section 56
Compounding
The Controller or, in his absence, the Deputy Controller may, with the consent in writing of the Public Prosecutor, compound any offence which is prescribed to be a compoundable offence by making a written offer to the person suspected to have committed the offence to compound the offence upon payment to the Controller or, in his absence the Deputy Controller, of an amount of money not exceeding fifty per centum of the amount of maximum fine for that offence within such time as may be specified in his written offer.
(2)
An offer under subsection (1) may be made at any time after the offence has been committed but before any prosecution for it has been instituted, and if the amount specified in the offer is not paid within the time specified in the offer or such extended time as the
Controller or, in his absence the Deputy Controller, may grant, prosecution for the offence may be instituted at any time after that against the person to whom the offer was made.
(3)
Where an offence has been compounded under subsection (1), no prosecution shall be instituted in respect of the offence against the person to whom the offer to compound was made, and any goods, document or computerized data seized in connection with the offence may be released or forfeited by the Controller or, in his absence the
Deputy Controller, subject to such terms and conditions as he deems fit to impose in accordance with the conditions of the compound.
Protection of
Controller,
Deputy
Controllers,
Assistant