U.S. Call For Independent Probe Of Adesina Outside Laid Down Rules – FG

The Federal Government has expressed support for the embattled President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and called on the Governing Board of the bank to follow due process to protect and preserve the continental bank.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made the call on Thursday, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the AfDB Governing Board, Kaba Niale, which was obtained by THE WHISTLER.

Ahmed said, “the Nigerian Government has been following very closely the above matter, subsequent to the conclusion and submission of the formal report of the Ethics Committee and the decision of the Chair of the Board of Governors, Honourable Minister Kaba Niale of Cote d’Ivoire.”

The ethics committee had concluded investigations into allegations levelled against Adesina by whistleblowers saying the Nigerian had appointed his kinsmen into top postions at the AfDB and awarded contracts to acquaintances. The Governing Board based on the findings of the committee cleared Adesina.

But The U.S. Treasury had questioned the decision of the committee and pressured for a fresh independent probe.

The Government in the letter said, ‘the call for ‘Independent Probe’ of the President is outside of the laid down rules, procedures and governing system of the Bank and its Article as it relates to the Code of Conduct on Ethics for the President. As Board of Governors we must uphold the rule of law and respect the governance system of the Bank. If there are any governance issues that need improvement, these can be considered and amendment proposed for adoption in line with laid down procedures.”

Nigeria had consolidated its position as the bank’s largest shareholder with 9.33% shares followed by the U.S. who controls about 6.5% of the total shares.