AfDB debars Nigerian company, CEO 15 months for fraudulent, obstructive practices

The African Development Bank Group has  announced a 15-month debarment of Ogon-Asu Company Ltd. and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William Tuku Ogon over fraudulent practices.

This was contained in a statement published on the bank’s website.

According to the statement, the debarment starts from February 24, 2023.

The statement reads: “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.

“During the debarment period, Ogon-Asu Company Ltd., its affiliates and Mr. William Tuku Ogon, will be ineligible to participate in Bank Group-financed operations and activities.

“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.”