Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Stock investment startup, Risevest, has recommended that the company’s founder and CEO, Eke Eleanya Urum, step down from his role due to ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual and non-sexual impropriety.
According to TechCabal, it was established that Eke was first notified of the allegations against him by the investors on August 1 and he stepped down two days later.
“Following allegations of sexual and non-sexual impropriety from someone who can be reasonably expected to have knowledge of such, investors of Risevest have asked Eke Urum to step down from his role as founder and CEO and an independent investigation is ongoing,” a part of the statement read.
Speaking with the platform, Eke said, “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.”
The suspended Eke claims he doesn’t know who’s behind the allegation and is patiently waiting for the outcome of the investigation.
“We [investors, investigative panel and the Risevest team] all agreed that it’s best for the panel to complete their investigation without any external noise, else it’ll add bias to the investigation or preempt the outcome,” Eke said.
In his place, the company’s current head of operations, Tony Odiba, will be acting CEO and Otasowie Evbuomwan, will lead its US operations.
Investors have committed to supporting them settle into their new roles in light of the ongoing investigation. They have also assured the company’s stakeholders that depositors’ funds are safe, as the ongoing investigation does not concern financial impropriety.
