Eke Urum, Risevest CEO Steps Down On Allegations Of Sexual Assault, Workplace Misdemeanor
An investigative panel has established to look into allegations levelled against Eke Urum, the embattled CEO of the Nigeria-based stock investment app, Risevest.
In a newsletter published on Tuesday, the investment app, Risevest announced that Eke Urum was stepping aside as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of the platform so operations and other underlying activities can be properly executed.
Urum has been accused of sexual misconduct and misdemeanor by some staff of the organization.
In an official statement dated August 30, 2022, which further revealed that Tony Odiba, the startup’s Head of Operations will take up the CEO mantle in the interim.
A 3-man panel has been instituted to carry out an independent investigation to verify these claims.
This action is suspected to be necessitated by several harassment accusations that may have been laid against the founder.
While the investment-tech founder has agreed to step down, the investigation panel is trusting that testimonies from ex-employees and current staff will provide more clarity.
“In light of allegations of abuse of power and sexual impropriety, Eke Urum willingly agreed to step aside as CEO of Risevest as of August 3 2022 to allow for a 6-week investigation, set up by Risevest’s investors, to run its course,” part of the statement reads.
ALSO READ: Hushpuppi, Alleged Internet Fraudster To Be Sentenced Sept. 12
The statement reads further,
“We are committed to getting to the root of the matter and have launched a formal investigation to achieve this. The situation is being handled with utmost transparency through an independent panel with no affiliation to employees of Risevest.
We want to assure our stakeholders and the general public that we continue to operate optimally as a company, and our customers will continue to enjoy the highest quality of services and support.”
When Was The First Accusation Levelled Against The Former CEO?
In 2021, Eke was accused of non-sexual workplace misconduct when he had a fallout with the then Head of Marketing, Efe Uduigwomen.
The disgruntled ex-employee remarked that the startup’s work culture was unhealthy.
