Eke Urum has willingly agreed to step aside as CEO of Risevest to allow an independent panel to investigate the allegations of abuse of power and sexual impropriety leveled against him. Although it is not clear who made the allegations, Eke Urum however confirmed this to TechCabal, “I was told on the evening of August 1 by investors that someone reached out that there were allegations of bullying, sexual harassment, and intimidation.
“They didn’t say by whom, but I was told to step aside so an independent panel could carry out an investigation.”
According to a release from The Risevest Team, “an independent investigation panel was set up by Risevest’s investors to look extensively into the allegations. The members include:
- Tomi Davies of TVC Labs as Chair
- Odunoluwa Longe of TLP Advisory as Legal Adviser and,
- Toun Tunde-Anjous of The People Practice as People and Culture Adviser.
Findings of the investigation will be made known within 2 weeks of the conclusion of the investigation process.” after a 6-week investigation.
“The current Head of Operations, Tony Odiba, who has been with Risevest since its inception, has been leading the company as the interim CEO, while Otasowie Evbuomwan still leads Risevest’s US Operations.”
Eke Urum will not be the first Nigerian Fintech CEO to face such accusations, you will recall that Flutterwave CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, aka GB, was under scrutiny earlier this year over similar allegations which also include financial misconduct, insider trading, and embezzlement.
Founded in 2019 by Bosun Olanrewaju, Eke Urum, and Tony Odiba, Risevest allows Africans to invest in foreign investment opportunities. The company’s last funding was an undisclosed seed round in March 2021. “Risevest as a company has zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, and misconduct and is committed to establishing the truth of this matter while also reviewing policies to ensure a safer workplace.”
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