The African Development Bank (AfDB) has initiated a review of an internal investigation that took place against its president Akinwumi Adesina who is seeking re-election.
The said internal investigation cleared Adesina of improper conduct and the bank’s board said it stood by the Nigerian.
But with pressure from other shareholders including the United States, the bank’s board has asked for an independent review of the internal investigation report.
It said the decision was to allow for due process saying in a statement “The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high caliber individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity.”
Akinwumi Adesina has been accused of abuse of office by a whistleblower at the bank. He is also accused of favouritism in hiring of staff.
The AfDB president has denied the allegations and a report by the bank’s ethics board cleared him of wrongdoing.
The United States, AfDB’s second-largest shareholder demanded a new independent probe into the allegations, a request the bank’s board appears to be giving in to.
The bank’s board said the review of the investigation would take no more than four weeks and should not interfere with the bank’s electoral calendar.
Akinwumi Adesina has already received a lot of support from African countries towards his bid for a second term in office.
Source: Africafeeds.com
