Internet company, Tizeti, has announced the reinstatement of Kendall Ananyi as its CEO after its independent investigations were conducted.
The company said that after the independent investigation, “that a case of sexual harassment had not been established.” hence the reinstatement of Kendall.
Remember Kendall had to step down as Tizeti CEO after an alleged sexual harassment accusation by Kelechi Udoagwu, an Accra-based Nigerian tech entrepreneur/consultant.
According to Tizeti in the statement released below,
Independent Special Investigation Committee Conclusions and Recommendations; Kendall Ananyi Reinstated as Tizeti CEO
On June 7, 2020, Tizeti appointed an Independent Special Investigation Committee of its Board of Directors to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made against Kendall Ananyi, the company’s CEO. During the pendency of the investigation, the CEO stepped down and was walled off from communications with the Independent Special Investigation Committee and any matters related to the investigation.
In connection with the investigation, on June 7, 2020, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Tizeti’s COO and Patricia Aiyedun, its CFO, were appointed as co-CEOs pending the results of the investigation.The law firm of Olumide Sofowora Chambers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olumide Sofowora, SAN, C.Arb., was then selected by the Special Investigation Committee as independent legal counsel to conduct the investigation.
Olumide Sofowora examined the allegations, researched what actions would constitute sexual harassment, gathered relevant information from a number of sources in both Nigeria and Ghana and conducted a number of interviews, including separately interviewing both the accuser and Mr. Ananyi.
Based on this investigation, it was determined by the independent legal counsel, which conclusion was accepted by the Independent Special Investigation Committee, that a case of sexual harassment had not been established.
As a result, Mr. Ananyi has been reinstated as CEO of Tizeti Inc., with Mr. Okonkwo and Ms. Aiyedun returning to their COO and CFO roles, respectively.
That said, Tizeti wants to ensure that it has best in class policies and procedures going forward. As a result, Tizeti will be updating its code of conduct and putting in place a sexual harassment policy that is in line with best practices and encourages the reporting of any potential incidents. The company will also conduct training programs covering sexual harassment in the workplace for all executives, employees and staff.
Tizeti remains fully committed to high ethical standards, gender equality, providing a workplace that is free from sexual harassment and ensuring that its diverse team feels comfortable and safe at all times.
There has been mixed reactions on social media about the conclusion reached by the independent investigation.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, @iaboyeji, serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Andela, former managing director of Flutterwave, stated his displeasure in a tweet below:
Jason Njoku, @jasonnjoku, co-founder and CEO of iROKOtv, tweeted that one of the board members (4DX) had resigned so “the board” was in fact made up of Kendall (Co Founder & CEO) + Ifeanyi (Co Founder & COO). He lamented that “there is no independence in this special investigation.”
Fola Olatunji-David, @folasanwo, former Google’s head of startup success and services, Launchpad Africa tweeted, asking for the details of the investigation.
