The United States’ Department of Treasury has called for an independent probe of allegations levelled against President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina.
Adesina is being accused of trying to Nigerianise the Abidjan-based bank.
A French newspaper, Le Monde, had reported that some of the bank’s employees submitted a petition against Adesina.
It was alleged that the petition was spearheaded by an elected staff member to “discredit” Adesina’s candidacy for re-election in August.
The petition also questioned the awards received by Adesina in 2017 and 2019 of $250 000 and $500 000 from groups in the US and South Korea.
Adesina had denied the allegations. The bank, in February, also refuted claims made by World Bank President, David Malpass, that some multilateral development banks, including the AfDB, had a tendency of lending too quickly and in the process, add to Africa’s debt problems.
Although, the AfDB ethics board had exonerated Adesina of the allegations, US treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, rejected the board’s findings, Bloomberg reports.
Mr Mnuchin, in a May 22 letter addressed to the chairperson of the bank’s board of governors, Niale Kaba, said the treasury disagrees with findings that “totally exonerated” Adesina.
“We have deep reservations about the integrity of the committee’s process,” Mnuchin said.
“Instead, we urge you to initiate an in-depth investigation of the allegations using the services of an independent outside investigator of high professional standing.
“Considering the scope, seriousness, and detail of these allegations against the sole candidate for bank leadership over the next five years, we believe that further inquiry is necessary to ensure that the AfDB’s president has broad support, confidence, and a clear mandate from shareholders.”
