Akinwumi Adesina Exonerated By AfDB Independent Review Committee

Akinwumi Adesina Exonerated By AfDB
After weeks of looking at the facts, an independent panel of experts, headed by former Irish president Mary Robinson, has cleared Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina, leader of the African Development Bank (AfDB) of corruption.

60-year-olf Adesina, a charismatic speaker known for his elegant suits and bow ties, became the first Nigerian to helm the AfDB in 2015.

According to a report obtained by AFP, a 15-page report earlier this year claimed that under his watch, the bank had been tarred by poor governance, impunity, personal enrichment and favouritism.

The panel of three experts, led by Robinson alongside Gambia's Chief Justice Hassan Jallow and the World Bank's integrity vice president Leonard McCarthy, cleared Adesina of all charges alleged by whistleblowers.

"The panel concurs with the committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee," Monday's report concluded.

The rollercoaster of allegations has battered the African banking institution and Adesina -- who is the sole candidate for the bank's August's presidential elections -- after the whistleblowers' complaints were leaked to the media in April.

This site had reported that the former Nigerian minister stated he was "innocent" of the charges.

Robinson -- who led Ireland from 1990 to 1997 before serving as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights until 2002 -- dismissed the 16 whistleblower allegations against Adesina.

The panel did not investigate the charges themselves, as that was not within their mandate.

The AfDB plays an important if largely behind-the-scenes role in African economies, financing projects in agriculture, health, energy, education, transport and other development sectors.


Share this PostPin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google PlusEmail This