Ex-Ireland President's Panel Absolves Akinwumi Adesina Of Whistleblower's Allegations

The independent review committee headed by former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, has cleared Akinwumi Adesina, president of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), of all allegations made against him by a whistleblower. AllNews had reported that Adesina was accused of abuse of power in decisions made for the largest bank in Africa.

The panel had been approved to probe the report of AfDB's ethics committee who also absolve Adesina of any wrongdoings in his capacity as the head of AfDB. AfDB governors' board made the approval following a demand from the United States - U.S had faulted the report of the ethics committee, and requested for an independent review. The decision by AfDB to accept U.S demand exposed the economic slavery in AfDB.

Allegations Against Adesina

The accusations range from using his position as AfDB President for private gain, being an impediment to efficiency, showing preferential treatment, bribery of ECOWAS members, involving in political activity, and making questionable appointments and departures; all allegations Adesina have denied.

After the conclusion of the probe, Adesina was absolved of any wrongdoings by the ethics committee of the largest African lender. However, due to the rejection of the probe by U.S. Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, AfDB decided to dent the image of its ethics committee by embracing the demand of the U.S and abandon its President to the faith of an outsider.

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Conclusion Of The Independent Committee

According to The Cable, the independent review committee has now cleared Adesina. In a document shared by a source, it was stated that, "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,”

Despite the U.S questioning the credibility of the ethics committee, the independent review body said AfDB ethics committee "took proper note of the criteria laid down for evaluating complaints and the sufficiency of supporting evidence.

“It consulted PIAC and the auditor-general. It engaged in discussion and debate of each individual complaint and reached a consensus on the outcome. It applied the correct standard and prepared a report for submission to the chairperson of the bureau of the board of governors”.

While addressing Adesina's defense and evidence he provided to support his claim, the independent review committee said the evidence Adesina submitted was, “consistent with his innocence and to be persuasive”.

What This Means For Adesina

The acquittal by the independent committee now clears the way for Adesina's second term as AfDB president. AllNews had previously reported that AfDB was meant to hold its presidential election in May this year, with the winner announced on May 28, 2020, during the Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors - but that didn't happen.

With the investigation into Adesina concluded, he can now contest, although, he appears to be the sole candidate for the position. There had been fears that the investigation might block or limit his chances.

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Members Of The Independent Committee

According to the AfDB's communique, the members of the committee aside from Robinson, include Hassan Jallow, who AllNews gathered is a former attorney-general and minister of justice of the Gambia, as well as a former justice of the supreme court of the Gambia. His experience includes being the prosecutor of the United Nations’ International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in 2003.

Meanwhile, Leonard McCarthy is also a member of the independent committee. McCarthy previously acted as a former director of public prosecutions, a former director for the Office of Serious Economic Offences, and a former head of the Directorate of Special Operations of South Africa.

His career path also includes being the integrity vice president of the World Bank for nine years. McCarthy is presently the president of an integrity risk management company, LFMcCarthy Associates, Inc., which is located in Washington, USA.