We Stand By Internal Probe That Cleared Adesina – AfDB Board

 The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) board has  said it stands by an internal probe that had cleared its president, Akinwumi Adesina,  of improper conduct.

The board, in a statement, said it believed that the bank”s ethics committee carried out its role correctly during the investigation.

Reuters reports that it however resolved to carry out an independent review of the report in the interest of due process.

The board said that the review would be carried out by a high calibre individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity.
It stated that the review would take no longer than four weeks and would not interfere with the bank”s electoral calendar.

Adesina is seeking reelection for another term as the bank’s president. The election will hold in a few months’ time.
 Adesina has been  in the eye of the storm after he was accused of abuse of office by a whistleblower at the bank, including favouritism in hiring. 

The embattled bank chief  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, has demanded a new independent probe into the allegations, rejecting the bank’s investigation over reservations about the integrity of the bank’s process. Meanwhile, top shareholder Nigeria has voiced its support for Adesina.