I have the letter written by Nigeria’s former President (Olusegun Obasanjo) to former presidents of African countries after the U.S. Treasury Secretary wrote, rejecting the conclusion of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Ethics Committee, and requesting a new investigation, on the allegations against the bank’s President.The key line: “It is also critical that we emphasize the need for the AfDB to remain an Africa-focused development Bank rather than one which serves interests outside Africa”. I will not share the full letter as it contains many personal details.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Bureau of the Board of Governors, Niale Kaba, has released a letter making it clear that; “It is indeed false that the President of the Bank Group has been or is being asked to step down from his position”. Read the full letter below.
 |
|
Communication Regarding the Whistleblowers’ Complaint Against the President of the Bank
|
|
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, May 28, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Bureau of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank met on Tuesday, 26 May to consider the matter arising from a whistleblowers’ complaint against the President of the Bank, which was dealt with by the Ethics Committee of Board of Directors of the Bank and for which I received letters from some shareholders expressing various views.
Following the meeting, my attention has been drawn to several publications in the national and international press regarding the content of the deliberations of the said meeting, and I am compelled to make clarifications in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
The Bureau, which I chair, wishes to reassure the public that it is seized with the matter and that it is treating it with the utmost seriousness that it deserves. Further, the Bureau informs the public that it has not taken any decision as falsely conveyed in some publications.
I must emphasise that there is no governance or constitutional crisis at the African Development Bank Group. It is indeed false that the President of the Bank Group has been or is being asked to step down from his position.
Everyone must allow the Bureau to do its work and allow due process to reign. All the Governors will be carried along in resolving the issue.
Chair of the Bureau of the Board
|
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government writes on the allegations, noting that ‘the call for an “independent investigations” of the President is outside of the laid down rules, procedures and governing system of the Bank and its Articles as it relates to the Code of Conduct on Ethics for the President.’ The full letter (PDF).
---
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.