AfDB Bans Nigerian CEO, Company for 15 Months over Alleged Fraud

For the next 15 months, Ogun-Asu Company Limited, a Nigerian construction firm, and William Ogon, its CEO, will not participate in any project financed by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).

AfDB indicted the company and Ogon over fraudulent and obstructive practices.

AfDB said in a statement, that the ban takes effect from February 24, 2023.

A disbarment renders companies and individuals ineligible to participate in contracts financed or issued by AfDB for the stipulated period.

AfDB said: “An investigation conducted by the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption established that Ogon-Asu Company Ltd. engaged in fraudulent practices during a tender for the Provision of Equipment and Construction of Axle Load Scales/Weigh Stations along Enugu-Abakaliki-Mbok (Ogoja Junction) – Ikom-Mfum Road in Nigeria, a component of the Transport Facilitation Programme for the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok/Mfum-Abakaliki-Enugu Road Corridor in Cameroon and Nigeria.”

“The investigation further established that Mr. William Tuku Ogon engaged in an obstructive practice during the investigation.

“The Transport Facilitation Programme for the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok/Mfum-Abakaliki-Enugu Road Corridor is expected to increase trade and strengthen cooperation between countries of the Central African States and those of the Economic Community of West African States in general, and between Cameroon and Nigeria, in particular.”

The pan-African bank said Ogon-Asu Company, its affiliates, and its CEO would be barred from participating in AfDB-financed projects and activities during the ban,

The bank said: “At the expiration of the debarment period, Ogon-Asu Company Ltd., its affiliates, and Mr. William Tuku Ogon will only be eligible to resume participation in African Development Bank Group-financed operations and activities after they implement an integrity compliance program consistent with the Bank’s guidelines,” AfDB added.