Panel Absolves Akinwumi Adesina From Ethical Wrong Doings

A report by a review panel has completely absolved president of African Development Bank (AFDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina of ethical wrongdoings.

The Independent Review Panel, led by a former Irish president, Mary Robinson, said Adesina is not guilty of any infraction alleged by petitioners.

The panel was set up by the bureau of governors of the bank, following complaints to review the process by which two previous organs of the bank had previously exonerated Adesina.

In January 2020, sixteen allegations of ethical misconduct were levelled against Adesina by a group of whistleblowers.

The allegations, which were reviewed by the bank’s ethics committee of the board of directors in March, were described as frivolous and without merit.

The findings and rulings of the ethics committee were subsequently upheld by the Apex bureau of the board of governors in May, which cleared Adesina of any wrongdoing.

The report of the Independent Review Panel states that it concurs with the ethics committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against Adewumi.

The conclusions of the panel now clear the way for governors of the bank to re-elect Adesina to a second five-year term as president.