(1) Where any body corporate, firm, society or other body of persons is charged with an offence under this Act, every person who at the time of the alleged offence was a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer or a partner of the body corporate, firm, society or body of persons, or was purporting to act in such capacity, is liable to the penalties provided for such offence as if he or she himself or herself was guilty of the offence, unless the person proves—
-
(a) that the offence was committed without his or her knowledge and that such lack of knowledge was not caused by his or her wilful default, omission or neglect; or
-
(b) that having regard to the nature of the person's functions and to all the circumstances, the person exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence.