The president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has stated that the allegations of impropriety and fraud against him were targeted at tarnishing his reputation.
In January 2020, a group within the bank petitioned the bank’s ethics committee to demand investigations into 16 allegations against Mr Adesina. According to the petition, the whistle-blower group alleged “breaches of the Code of Conduct of Elected Officers of the Bank” by Mr Adesina.
However, in February, the committee served Mr Adesina a copy of the petition, demanding his official response. On April 8, Mr Adesina sent a memorandum that highlighted his responses to all the allegations.
He said the document provided “specific facts” to show the allegations did not meet the standards to merit as a ‘whistle-blower complaint under the terms spelt out in the Bank’s Whistleblowing and Complaints Handling Policy of January 2007.’
Mr Adesina said the petitioners were not acting in good faith, as a group of independent Bank staff members who confessed to being former members of the “Group of Concerned Staff Members,” wrote a “Disassociation Note” on March 9, 2020.
Recently, a resolution of the Board of Governors of the bank authorises the ethics committee to dismiss a petition if its preliminary examination reveals the allegations are baseless. Meanwhile, in a statement of Wednesday, Mr Adesina appreciated the support enjoyed during the probe.
“In recent weeks and over the last few days especially, I’ve been overwhelmed by the tremendous support received from around the world. I have absolute confidence in the integrity of the bank that I lead and its governance systems, rules and procedures.”
According to the AFDB boss, despite” “unprecedented attempts by some to tarnish my reputations and prejudice the bank’s governance procedures”, he maintains his innocence with regard to trumped-up allegations.
He said that the allegations unjustly seek to impugn his honour and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank.
“I sincerely appreciate support of the bank’s stakeholders.”
“At this time, I remain confident that ultimately and that as of one collective, the bank will emerge stronger than before and continue to support Africa’s development drive.”
“I am confident that fair, transparent and just process that respect the rules procedures and governance of the Bank’s system and the rule of law will prove that I have not violated any Code of Ethics of this extraordinary institution,” the statement read in parts.
