The Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has authorised an independent probe of the President, Akinwumi Adesina.
The United States Department of Treasury had called for a separate investigation of allegations against Adesina after he was cleared by the bank’s ethics committee.
The call was opposed by sitting and former African leaders.
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, declared that some forces were trying to “hijack AfDB from Africa”.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also endorsed the former Minister of Agriculture.
Now, the AfDB seems to have bowed to the pressure by America.
It has agreed that the report of ethics committee and submissions made by the Nigerian will be reviewed.
The board made the resolution in a communique issued by the chairperson, Ms Niale Kaba, after their meeting on Thursday.
The communique stated the ethics committee performed its role on this matter in accordance with the applicable role under resolution B/BG/2008/11 of the board of Governors.
It explained that the new decision was based on views of some Governors on the matter.
The board said the independent review “shall be conducted by a neutral high calibre individuals with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity within a short time period of not more than two to four weeks maximum, taking the bank’s group electoral calendar into account”.
The board agreed on “an independent comprehensive review of the implementation of the bank’s group whistle blowing and complaint’.
The communique added that handling policy “should be conducted with a view to ensuring that the policy is properly implemented, and revising it where necessary to avoid situations of this nature in future”.
In his reaction, Adesina denied all allegations against him.
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