( 5 minutes read)
· The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the launch ofan independent investigation into allegations against its presidentAkinwumi Adesina.
· The United States was dissatisfied with the internalinvestigation that had exonerated Adesina from serious accusationsmade by a group of “whistleblowers”
· Adesina was elected in 2015 to head the AfDB.
· There were several allegations against him leveled by thewhistleblowers, which were strongly rebutted by him, telling that theywere manufactured by vested interests.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the launch of an independent investigation into allegations against its president Akinwumi Adesina. The Nigerian, backed by several heads of states in Africa, was in for a re-election, before the inquiry was instituted at the behest of the US, which is the second largest stakeholder in the bank, after Nigeria. Incidentally, Adesina is the only candidate in
the fray for the election to the president’s post.
The United States was dissatisfied with the internal investigation that had exonerated Adesina from serious accusations made by a group of “whistleblowers”. The charges against him included unethical behavior, personal enrichment and favoritism. Now, the Board of Governors of the AfDB agreed to authorize an independent person to review the whistleblowers allegations. The statement issued by the bank’s board after a meeting presided by its chairman says that the review should be carried out by a neutral, honest, high-caliber person with unquestionable experience and a proven international reputation, within two to four weeks maximum, taking into account the electoral calendar. The presidential election is due in August this year.
Adesina was elected in 2015 to head the AfDB. There were several allegations against him leveled by the whistleblowers, which were strongly rebutted by him, telling that they were manufactured by vested interests. The internal inquiry committee found no evidence
against him. The allegations are favoritism in many senior appointments, especially of Nigerian compatriots, appointing or promoting people suspected or convicted of fraud or corruption, and of granting them comfortable severance packages without sanction. He is
the first Nigerian to head the AfDB since its creation in 1964. The AfDB has 80 shareholder countries- 54 African and 26 non-African
countries- from Europe, America and Asia. It is the only African institution rated triple A by financial rating agencies.
