The Bureau of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has agreed to authorize an independent review of the report of the ethics committee of the bank’s board of directors on the allegations levied against the President of the Bank, Akinwumi Adesina.
This was contained in a communique which was released and signed by the Chairperson of the Bureau of Board of Governors, Ms Niale Kaba, after the meeting of the bureau board of governors on June 4, 2020, with respect to the complaints against the President of the bank.
In taking the decision, the Bureau agreed that AfDB’s ethics committee performed its role on this matter in accordance with the applicable rule under resolution B/BG/2008/11 of the board of governors and that the Chairperson of the Bureau of Board of Governors performed her role in accepting the findings of the ethics committee in accordance with the said resolution.
READ MORE: AfDB’s Akinwumi Adesina hits back, denies allegations against him
The bank’s board of governors in its statement said, ‘’Based on the views of some Governors on the matter and the need to carry every Governor along in resolving it, the Bureau agrees to authorize an independent review of the report of the ethics committee of the board of governors relative to the allegations considered by the ethics committee and the submissions made by the President of the Bank Group thereto in the interest of due process.
‘’The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high calibre individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity within a short time period of not more than two to four weeks maximum, taking the Bank group’s electoral calendar into account.
‘’The Bureau agrees that, within a three to six months period and following the independent review of the ethics committee report, an independent comprehensive review of the implementation of the bank’s group whistleblowing and complaints handling policy should be conducted with a view to ensuring that the policy is properly implemented, and revising it where necessary, to avoid situations of this nature in the future.’’
READ ALSO: Akinwunmi Adesina receives highest honour of the Republic of Liberia
Following the allegations of unethical conducts, questionable appointments and contract awards by a group of whistleblowers and the subsequent clearance of all charges by the AfDB’s ethics committee, the United States Government, who is the largest shareholder outside Africa, asked for an independent probe of those allegations.
The US treasury secretary questioned the integrity of the committee’s process as well as the internal processes of the bank.
Explore financial calculators on Nairametrics
Adesina, a few days ago, met with President Muhammadu Buhari, where he assured of the country’s support towards his travails and his second term bid for the Presidency of the multilateral institution.
Buhari’s appeal to other African leaders to support Asesina may compound his case. It is better to allow his case to be considered on its merit without interference
Sincerely African nations should look inward. COVID 19 has proven again that African leaders cannot stand on their own. They don’t have the stuff to stand on their own neither are their people in support of them. An average African leader must lean on foreign power to be able to stand otherwise his own people will push him off the ladder. Not that Africans are more wicked than their counterparts but because ignorance beclouded their sense of judgment on the need to stand together.
How neutral will the Independent nominee be with USA holding her foot on the neck of AFDB and trying to suffocate it.
Adesina has made Africa nations to be be conscious of their inner strength not to be beggars for what they have the ability to do. That is his offence.