The World Bank Group today announced the 38-month debarment of an individual consultant in connection with a corrupt practice as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
The debarment makes Mr. Salihu Shehu Ahmad Tijani, a Nigerian national, ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group. It is part of a settlement agreement under which the individual acknowledges responsibility for the underlying sanctionable practice and agrees to meet specified corporate compliance conditions prior to release from debarment.
The project is designed to provide access to targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded national social safety nets system. According to the facts of the case, as an individual consultant, Mr. Salihu made "appreciation" payments to project officials as a reward for his receiving of a Bank-funded consultancy services contract. This constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank's Consultant Guidelines.
The settlement agreement provides for a reduced period of debarment in light of Mr. Salihu's cooperation and admission of the misconduct. As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mr. Salihu commits to undertake corporate ethics trainings that demonstrate a commitment to personal integrity and business ethics. He also commits to continue to fully cooperate with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency.
The debarment of Mr. Salihu qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks (MDBs) under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.
