This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 4, 2020, the African Development Bank's (AfDB) board announced its decision to stand by an internal investigation that had cleared President Akinwumi Adesina of improper conduct.
However, the board has agreed to conduct an independent review of the report in the interest of due process.
President Adesina has been accused of abuse of office by a whistleblower at the bank, including favouritism in hiring.
He has denied the allegations and a report by the bank's ethics board cleared him of wrongdoing.
The United States, AfDB's second-largest shareholder, has demanded a new independent probe into the allegations, rejecting the bank's investigation over reservations about the integrity of the bank's process.
Meanwhile, top shareholder Nigeria has voiced its support for Adesina.
On Tuesday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari gave his backing to Adesina in his bid for a second term as AfDB president despite the allegations.
“The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high-caliber individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity,” the AfDB's board of governors said.
