Two Nigerians are among the seven members suspended from the African Union (AU)’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) over alleged misconduct.
The two Nigerians are Tunji Asaolu and John Oba, according to a statement by the AU on Thursday.
Other suspended members are Abozer Elligai Elmana (Sudan); Abdurrahman Mokhtar (Libya); Roll Stephane Ngomat (Gabon); El Hacene Abdallah Bah Mbareck (Mauritania), and Shem Ochuodho (Kenya).
The AU said the suspended members were indicted by “findings of misconduct/infringement of AU legal norms (violation of Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of ECOSOCC and provisions of the AU Code of Ethics and Conduct)”
Mr Asaolu was accused of “illegally opening a bank account in the name of ECOSOCC (UBA: AU ECOSOCC PROJECTS, Account No: 1022334209) in Nigeria”.
He was also said to have “illegally signed an MOU with DROMI, a Nigerian based NGO and another MOU with the federal ministry of women affairs of Nigeria, on behalf of ECOSOCC”.
While Mr Oba was accused of illegally appointing one “Otunba Wanle Akinboye, the President of Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Nigeria, as an AU-ECOSOCC Advisor on Culture and Tourism”.
The statement said other members were accused of various offences including abuse of office, misuse of the letterhead, and unlawful signing of memorandum of understanding.
“Abuse of authority/office and unlawful signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with third parties on behalf of AU ECOSOCC (Mr. Abozer Elligai, Mr. Roll Ngomat and Mr. Abdurrahman Mokhtar,” the statement reads.
“Illegal convening of the General Assembly and destabilization of ECOSOCC (Mr. Ngomat, Mr. Mokhtar, Dr. Mbareck, Dr. Shem Ochuodho & members of the Group of Eight).
“Misuse of ECOSOCC letter heads, logo, stamp/seal (Mr. Abozer, Mr. Ngomat, and Mr. Mokhtar).
“Illegal appointment of Ms. Evelyn Joe by Dr. El Hacene Mbareck as an AU ECOSOCC Global African Diaspora Forum on Migration and Development in Washington DC.
“The improper behavior of Dr. Sheri Ochuodho as a member of ECOSOCC, which conduct is in violation of Article 8 (1) of the ECOSOCC Rules of Procedure and section 4 (1) and (2) of the AU Code of Ethics and Conduct.”
According to the AU, the suspended members of the ECOSOCC will face sanctions as shall be determined by the commission.
