An independent panel of experts, headed by former Irish president Mary Robinson, has cleared the Nigerian born President, African Bank of Development (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina of corruption allegations, according to a report obtained by Oyonews.com.ng on Tuesday morning.
A 15-page report earlier this year claimed that under his watch the bank had been sneered 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,” the report concluded.
The African banking institution and Adesina, who was the sole candidate for the bank’s August’s presidential elections has been battered by the uproar of allegations after the whistleblowers’ complaints were leaked to the media in April.
Adesina, a former Nigerian finance minister had always 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 whistle-blower allegations against Adesina. The panel did not investigate the charges themselves, as that was not within their mandate.
AfDB plays an important and largely behind-the-scenes role in African economies, financing projects in agriculture, health, energy, education, transport and other development sectors.
Akinwumi Adesina, 60, a charismatic speaker known for his elegant suits and bow ties, became the first Nigerian to helm the AfDB in 2015.