Adesina’s Corruption Clearance: Dean Of African Diplomatic Corps In America Hails Panel Report

The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in the United States of America, has expressed delight over the clearance of Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) of corruption scandal ahead the bank election in August.

Adesina was cleared of corruption charges after a review by an independent panel.

Reports say the US, one of the bank’s biggest shareholders, had insisted on a new inquiry in April after an internal review cleared Akinwumi Adesina.

According to reports, a Whistleblowers had accused Adesina of giving contracts to friends and appointing relatives at the bank.

Mr Adesina who is set to be re-elected for another five-year term in August, has received the full endorsement of the African Union.

Adesina was completely exonerated of any wrongdoing by a high level panel of eminent persons led by Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

The panel was established to review the report by the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank.

The panel had previously reached the same conclusion that Dr. Adesina had not engaged in unethical practices or misconduct.

“On behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Serge Mombouli, warmly thanks the panel led by Mary Robinson for their excellent work, the body said in a statement on Wednesday.

While congratulating Dr. Adesina, the Corp commended him for his visionary leadership and the outstanding development results attained by the Bank under his tenure.

The group, however called for the reaffirmation of Adesina in the forthcoming AfDB election billed for August 27. 2020.

“Ambassador Serge Mombouli, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, further extends his appreciation to the Board of Directors, the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors, and the Bureau of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank for their courage and maturity in establishing an independent and transparent process, which confirms the excellent governance of the Bank.

“The African Diplomatic Corps accredited to the United States urges the United States of America, the largest non-regional shareholder, and all other shareholders, to continue to strongly support the President of the Bank and the African Development Bank Group, going forward, especially at this period of global Covid-19 pandemic.

“The African Development Bank will continue to play a crucial role in bringing African economies back on the trajectory of growth and sustainable development”, the statement said.