Unic Press UK: African Development Bank (AfDB) president, Akinwumi Adesina, has reiterated his innocence in light of U.S. onslaught and the accusations of unethical conduct, pursuit of private gain, preferential treatment, and engaging in political activities made against him by a band of whistleblowers.
The Bank’s president faces allegations of approving contracts to his acquaintances and appointing his relatives to strategic positions.
In a press statement Wednesday, Adesina said:
I maintain my innocence with regards to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honor and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank. I sincerely appreciate the support of the Bank’s shareholders.
The AFDB President added that there are unprecedented attempts to drag his reputation in a mud and prejudice the Bank’s governance procedure.
The U.S. has rejected the outcome of the Bank’s ethics committee that investigated the allegations and exonerated Mr Adesina. In a letter to the Governor of the AfDB for Cote D’Ivoire and Chairperson of the Boards of Governors of the AfDB Group, Her Excellency Mme Niale Kaba, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, demanded an independent probe.
