African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has debunked reports of allegations against as the number one authority of the bank.
Adesina, in a statement, said “the bank’s institutional framework was solid and efficient” and he stood by it.
He insisted that he was innocent of allegations levelled against him.
The AfDB boss also said he would continue working as the head of the organisation.
Adesina spoke out after the AfDB board ordered “a new and independent probe” of his activities in the bank.
The bank’s board is believed to have succumbed to pressure from the Unites States, which had demanded an independent probe of the allegations.
Adesina has been accused of corruption and favouritism by some anonymous whistleblowers, and although the AfDB’s ethics committee cleared him of wrongdoing, the US pressed for an independent probe into the charges.
Specifically, he was accused of giving contracts to acquaintances, appointing relatives and friends to strategic positions, and giving preferential treatment to Nigeria and Nigerians.
The independent probe ordered by the AfDB board is coming barely three months to the bank’s Annual General Meeting, where Adesina is expected to get the nod for a second term.
Currently, the Nigerian is the sole presidential candidate.
It is believed that the US is bent on removing Adesina as president of the bank, having initially opposed his nomination and election as the AfDB president in 2015.
In a statement he personally signed, the AfDB president described his travails as “unprecedented attempts by some” to tarnish his reputation and “prejudice the bank’s governance procedures”.
“I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honour and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank,” he said.
Adesina, the first Nigerian to head the financial institution, said he had received ‘tremendous support’ across the world.
He equally expressed appreciation for the support of the bank’s shareholders.
The AfDB boss said, “At this time, I remain confident that ultimately and as one collective, the bank will emerge stronger than before and continue to support Africa’s development drive.
The independent probe ordered by the AfDB board is coming barely three months to the bank’s Annual General Meeting, where Adesina is expected to get the nod for a second term.
Currently, the Nigerian is the sole presidential candidate.
It is believed that the US is bent on removing Adesina as president of the bank, having initially opposed his nomination and election as the AfDB president in 2015.
In a statement he personally signed, the AfDB president described his travails as “unprecedented attempts by some” to tarnish his reputation and “prejudice the bank’s governance procedures”.
“I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honour and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank,” he said.
Adesina, the first Nigerian to head the financial institution, said he had received ‘tremendous support’ across the world.
He equally expressed appreciation for the support of the bank’s shareholders.
The AfDB boss said, “At this time, I remain confident that ultimately and as one collective, the bank will emerge stronger than before and continue to support Africa’s development drive.