9.—(1) If any person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, obstructs the Commission or any member or officer of the Commission in the performance of its or his functions in connection with the investigation, or is guilty of any act in relation to the investigation which, if the investigation were a proceeding in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court, the Commission may certify the offence to the High Court.
(2) Where an offence is certified under this paragraph, the High Court may inquire into the matter and after hearing—
(a)any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the person charged with the offence; and
(b)any statement that may be offered in defence,
may deal with the person charged with the offence in any manner in which the court could deal with himif he had committed the like offence in relation to the court.