UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday decided to close an investigation on the former chief of the UN's inner watchdog.

Annan announced his decision in a statement released by his spokesman, saying he had thoroughly reviewed the investigation report on Dileep Nair, former Under-Secretary-General for UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

Nair was alleged by the Staff Council, in February 2005, for violations of rules, regulations and administrative issuances regarding appointments and promotions in OIOS. At the request of Annan, an outside investigation was undertaken and a report was submitted on May 1, 2006.

The main conclusions of the report are that the investigation found no evidence supporting the regrettable anonymous allegations of improper payment by one senior staff member to Nair or improper sexual behavior on the part of Nair and another staff member.

The report, however, found that in two cases involving appointment and promotion in OIOS, it appeared that Nair had predetermined the outcome of the selection process. In other promotion cases, the investigation refrained from drawing any conclusions with respect to legal issues pending before the Joint Appeals Board.

Annan said he took note of the findings and conclusions of the report, as well as Nair's comments, and decided that there was no further action to be taken by him in the case and, accordingly, decided the matter closed.

Source: Xinhua