I’ve Nothing To Hide – AfDB Boss Adesina Declares

• Says allegations seek to unjustly impugn his honour, integrity

BY EDMOND ODOK – Embattled President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina says there is nothing to hide or be afraid of as allegations of breaching the “Code of Conduct of Elected Officers of the Bank” are orchestrated by mischief makers to tarnish his reputation.

Debunking the allegations in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Adesina maintained his innocence, insisting that the trumped up “allegations unjustly seek to impugn his honour and integrity.”

“In recent weeks and over the last few days especially, I have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support received from around the world.

“I have absolute confidence in the integrity of the bank that I lead and its governance systems, rules and procedures”, the AfDB boss said in his statement.

According to him; “In spite of unprecedented attempts by some to tarnish my reputation and prejudice the bank’s governance procedures, I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honor and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank”.

Adesina, who appreciated the support of the Bank’s shareholders, further expressed confidence that ultimately and as one collective, the Bank will emerge stronger than before and continue to support Africa’s development drive.

“I draw great inspiration from my heroes, Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan, whose lives have shown that through pain we grow. As Martin Luther King Jnr. once said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.

”I am confident that fair, transparent and just processes that respect the rules, procedures and governance systems of the Bank, and the rule of law, will ultimately prove that I have not violated the Code of Ethics of this extraordinary institution”, he said.

Expressing his commitment and resolve to remain focus and continue working with all shareholders to ensure the AfDB maintains its hard earned global reputation, Adesina said; “Our credible and well-functioning institutional and governance systems are reinforced, as we collectively press on to fulfill the mission of our founders to accelerate and transform Africa’s development.”

A group within the bank had on January 19, 2020, petitioned the Integrity and Ethics Committee, headed by Takuji Yano, the institution’s Japan Executive Director, to demand investigations into 16 allegations it leveled against Mr Adesina.

In the petition, the group, which refused to reveal the identity of its members, alleged that Adesina in performing his duties as the AfDB’s President breached the “Code of Conduct of Elected Officers of the Bank”.