SG/SM/9596
17 November 2004

Secretary-General Accepts Results of Investigation into Oversight Office; Report Finds No Violations, Recommends No further Action

NEW YORK, 16 November (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Staff Council, in its resolution adopted on 15 April 2004, brought to the attention of the Secretary-General allegations made against the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Mr. Dileep Nair, regarding violations of Staff Regulations and Staff Rules with respect to appointment and promotion of staff in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), as well as allegations of corrupt practices in that office, and other misconduct on the part of the Under-Secretary-General. The Secretary-General requested the Under-Secretary-General for Management to undertake urgently an internal investigation of the allegations.

After a thorough review of the personnel-related allegations, the Under-Secretary-General for Management reported to the Secretary-General her findings and recommendations. She found that no Staff Regulations or Staff Rules were violated in the appointment and promotion of staff in OIOS, and that the relevant personnel procedures were followed. With regard to the other allegations, the investigation found that they did not present credible information on which to follow up and, therefore, recommended that no further action was necessary in the matter.

The Secretary-General reviewed the report and accepted the findings and recommendations of the investigation.  He has so informed Mr. Nair and said that he had every confidence that the good work of the Office of Internal Oversight Services under his leadership will continue.

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