Written By Tamunotonye Inioribo || TonyeBarcanista

Mr Adewunmi Adesina, the President of Africa Development Bank, AfDB and former Nigeria minister of agricultural resources and rural development under the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has been in the centre of attention over a multitude of allegations against him bordering on corruption, nepotism and other unethical misconduct.

Specifically, the Treasury Department of United States of America, levelled sixteen offences against Mr Adesina; all of which centre on perpetuating gross misconduct, involving in arbitrary recruitment without recourse to laid down rules and procedures, using AfDB for private gain, impediment to efficiency, arbitrarily overruling decisions taken by Bank's directors, nepotism, involving in political lobbying, making use of bank resources for personal gains, and other practices that have raised doubts over the integrity of Mr Adesina. The United states also accused Adesina of involvement in practices that have depleted the confidence of major stakeholders and partners of Africa Development Bank especially the United States Government, which has more than 6.5% interest in the Bank.

In response to the sixteen weighty allegations of gross misconduct against him, Mr Adesina, who took over the affairs of the bank in September 2015, claimed innocent of all allegations and alleges witch-hunt against his person.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors of AfDB that Mr Adesina Chairs, mandated its Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations against him, and the Ethics Committee cleared Mr Adesina of any wrongdoing and found him innocent of all allegations. The United States rejected the report of the Bank's Ethics Committee that cleared Mr Adesina, insisting that the Bank Board of Governors contracts an independent organization to probe all allegations against Mr Adesina instead.

The rejection of the report of the AfDB Ethics Committee and insistence on independent organization to probe the allegations by the United States has caused reactions amongst the elites and the masses of the Nigeria society. The elites like former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and some other senior officials of the present administration of Muhammadu Buhari, have been displaying solidarity with the embattled President of African Development Bank, asking the AFDB Board of Governors to disregard the call for independent probe of Mr Adesina by United States. While members of the Nigeria masses are accusing the United States of interfering and forcing her opinion on "African Affair" and modern day neocolonialism. Unfortunately for both groups, public institutions like African Development Bank can not be operated by sentiment where the CEO is allowed to do as he pleases without accountability and transparency.

May I also add that those condemning the United States and accusing them of of interference in "AFDB" affairs are not informed of the ownership of the Bank. They are not aware that the African Development Bank is jointly owned by 56 African countries (otherwise known as regional member countries) and 24 non African countries (otherwise known as non regional member countries), which the United States is among. The United States is not only a member of AFDB, but is also the second largest shareholder of the Bank with over 6.5% shares, and also the country has second largest voting power due to his stake in the Bank. The Country is only behind Nigeria, the Bank's largest shareholder with 9% stake. As a member, second largest shareholder and the member with second largest voting power, the United States is deemed a major stakeholder of the Bank and enjoys the privilege of demanding for accountability from the Bank's leadership.

Though it may appear as display patriotism to stand in solidarity with a fellow countryman, but standing in solidarity with the embattled compatriot Akinwunmi Adesina can never be a valid substitute for transparency, ethical practices and building confidence of stakeholders of Africa Development Bank, which Mr Adesina has been accused of flouting by the United States of America. Mr Adesina should prove his innocence by submitting himself to the request of the USA for an independent body to probe the allegations against his activities as President of the African Development Bank with respect to the weighty allegations against him without the interference of any interest, fear of victimisation nor bias towards any party.

Furthermore, Mr Adesina cannot expect a country like the United States that has zero tolerance towards corrupt practices and gross misconduct, to rely on the report of AfDB's Ethics Committee that absolved him of any wrongdoing. This is because aside being the President of the Bank, he also chairs the Bank's Board of Directors that appointed members of the Bank's Ethics Committee. As such, the Bank's Ethics Committee can never be said to be unbiased in probing allegations against their appointer (Mr Adesina).

In view of the above, Mr Adesina should as a matter of urgency show willingness in proving his innocence by agreeing to the prayer of the United States for an independent organization to probe the myriad of allegations.

By submitting to external probe, Mr Adesina will send signal to the Bank's stakeholders that the Bank's interest supersedes his personal interest, and it will save the Bank from unnecessary negative press that it has been receiving since the controversy came to limelight. Indeed, Mr Adesina will be vindicated by the probe of the independent investigating body and should be given a second if the independent investigation organization finds him innocent, but should be disgraced out of office if found guilty.

Need For Accountability Among Leaders of African Organisations
One of the ills bedeviling most institutions in Africa in both private and public sectors is lack of accountability and transparency by those at the helms of affairs. This lack of of accountability has made leaders entrusted with responsibility of managing these institutions to engage in corrupt practices, nepotism, flagrant abuse of processes and procedures, and running the organisation like personal fiefdom. When indicted, these leaders would find ways to avoid giving account of their stewardship by disregarding calls for external probe, whip up racial, ethnic or religious sentiments, and claim to be witch-hunted. Some would even go to court to shop for judicial orders and injunctions to stop probes being done on them or halt the publications of the indictments against them. This lack of accountability by leaders of African organisations is both gross and unfortunate as what it robs the continent is beyond human comprehension.

Africa can only move forward by disregarding parochial sentiments and demanding accountability from its leaders.

Written by Tamunotonye Inioribo || Tonyebarcanista@gmail.com

They have never wanted to see Africans proper.

TonyeBarcanista:
Written By Tamunotonye Inioribo || TonyeBarcanista

Mr Adewunmi Adesina, the President of Africa Development Bank, AfDB and former Nigeria minister of agricultural resources and rural development under the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has been in the centre of attention over a multitude of allegations against him bordering on corruption, nepotism and other unethical misconduct.

Specifically, the Treasury Department of United States of America, levelled sixteen offences against Mr Adesina; all of which centre on perpetuating gross misconduct, involving in arbitrary recruitment without recourse to laid down rules and procedures, using AfDB for private gain, impediment to efficiency, arbitrarily overruling decisions taken by Bank's directors, nepotism, involving in political lobbying, making use of bank resources for personal gains, and other practices that have raised doubts over the integrity of Mr Adesina. The United states also accused Adesina of involvement in practices that have depleted the confidence of major stakeholders and partners of Africa Development Bank especially the United States Government, which has more than 6.5% interest in the Bank.

In response to the sixteen weighty allegations of gross misconduct against him, Mr Adesina, who took over the affairs of the bank in September 2015, claimed innocent of all allegations and alleges witch-hunt against his person.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors of AfDB that Mr Adesina Chairs, mandated its Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations against him, and the Ethics Committee cleared Mr Adesina of any wrongdoing and found him innocent of all allegations. The United States rejected the report of the Bank's Ethics Committee that cleared Mr Adesina, insisting that the Bank Board of Governors contracts an independent organization to probe all allegations against Mr Adesina instead.

The rejection of the report of the AfDB Ethics Committee and insistence on independent organization to probe the allegations by the United States has caused reactions amongst the elites and the masses of the Nigeria society. The elites like former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and some other senior officials of the present administration of Muhammadu Buhari, have been displaying solidarity with the embattled President of African Development Bank, asking the AFDB Board of Governors to disregard the call for independent probe of Mr Adesina by United States. While members of the Nigeria masses are accusing the United States of interfering and forcing her opinion on "African Affair" and modern day neocolonialism. Unfortunately for both groups, public institutions like African Development Bank can not be operated by sentiment where the CEO is allowed to do as he pleases without accountability and transparency.

May I also add that those condemning the United States and accusing them of of interference in "AFDB" affairs are not informed of the ownership of the Bank. They are not aware that the African Development Bank is jointly owned by 56 African countries (otherwise known as regional member countries) and 24 non African countries (otherwise known as non regional member countries), which the United States is among. The United States is not only a member of AFDB, but is also the second largest shareholder of the Bank with over 6.5% shares, and also the country has second largest voting power due to his stake in the Bank. The Country is only behind Nigeria, the Bank's largest shareholder with 9% stake. As a member, second largest shareholder and the member with second largest voting power, the United States is deemed a major stakeholder of the Bank and enjoys the privilege of demanding for accountability from the Bank's leadership.

Though it may appear as display patriotism to stand in solidarity with a fellow countryman, but standing in solidarity with the embattled compatriot Akinwunmi Adesina can never be a valid substitute for transparency, ethical practices and building confidence of stakeholders of Africa Development Bank, which Mr Adesina has been accused of flouting by the United States of America. Mr Adesina should prove his innocence by submitting himself to the request of the USA for an independent body to probe the allegations against his activities as President of the African Development Bank with respect to the weighty allegations against him without the interference of any interest, fear of victimisation nor bias towards any party.

Furthermore, Mr Adesina cannot expect a country like the United States that has zero tolerance towards corrupt practices and gross misconduct, to rely on the report of AfDB's Ethics Committee that absolved him of any wrongdoing. This is because aside being the President of the Bank, he also chairs the Bank's Board of Directors that appointed members of the Bank's Ethics Committee. As such, the Bank's Ethics Committee can never be said to be unbiased in probing allegations against their appointer (Mr Adesina).

In view of the above, Mr Adesina should as a matter of urgency show willingness in proving his innocence by agreeing to the prayer of the United States for an independent organization to probe the myriad of allegations.

By submitting to external probe, Mr Adesina will send signal to the Bank's stakeholders that the Bank's interest supersedes his personal interest, and it will save the Bank from unnecessary negative press that it has been receiving since the controversy came to limelight. Indeed, Mr Adesina will be vindicated by the probe of the independent investigating body and should be given a second if the independent investigation organization finds him innocent, but should be disgraced out of office if found guilty.

Need For Accountability Among Leaders of African Organisations
One of the ills bedeviling most institutions in Africa in both private and public sectors is lack of accountability and transparency by those at the helms of affairs. This lack of of accountability has made leaders entrusted with responsibility of managing these institutions to engage in corrupt practices, nepotism, flagrant abuse of processes and procedures, and running the organisation like personal fiefdom. When indicted, these leaders would find ways to avoid giving account of their stewardship by disregarding calls for external probe, whip up racial, ethnic or religious sentiments, and claim to be witch-hunted. Some would even go to court to shop for judicial orders and injunctions to stop probes being done on them or halt the publications of the indictments against them. This lack of accountability by leaders of African organisations is both gross and unfortunate as what it robs the continent is beyond human comprehension.

Africa can only move forward by disregarding parochial sentiments and demanding accountability from its leaders.

Written by Tamunotonye Inioribo || Tonyebarcanista@gmail.com

You are right but it is unethical and against the constitution of the bank.

Nigeria shares is 9.2 not 9 and to say USA have zero tolerance for corruption is absolutely not true,The Trump administration is very corrupt and you know that yet mr Trump is still in office. Now will advice you to go do your proper fact checks and come back with a proper article, also you mention nepotism twice just to and other to try make the allegation up to 16 against mr Adeshina.

LOL @ United States having zero tolerance for corruption.. Don't believe the hype United States is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Most things you see about USA are just media make believe

Tonye Barcanista-nice write up, I never knew your I.Q was this high. Why did you ever support Goodluck Jonathan?

omoiyamayor:
They have never wanted to see Africans proper.

Is this really a defence to corruption indictment?

Cosbyrich:


You are right but it is unethical and against the constitution of the bank.

Which is ethical among these two?

1. A Bank's policy that protects its corrupt leaders

2. Someone asking that an indicted leader of a Bank be probed by a neutral body?

[s]

omoiyamayor:
Nigeria shares is 9.2 not 9 and to say USA have zero tolerance for corruption is absolutely not true,The Trump administration is very corrupt and you know that yet mr Trump is still in office. Now will advice you to go do your proper fact checks and come back with a proper article, also you mention nepotism twice just to and other to try make the allegation up to 16 against mr Adeshina.

[/s]
How sensible does this sound to your ear? You mean after reading the epistle your best line is Trump is corrupt? I won't even want to detail by arguing this with you but you can create a thread for Trump.

TonyeBarcanista:

Is this really a defence to corruption indictment?

are you African? if you are,then let me ask you if you know of any financial institution bigger than the AfDB on the continent, i am not trying to throw any shot at you,but it will ne nice to hear from your point of view.

RuudVanNisteroy:
Tonye Barcanista-nice write up, I never knew your I.Q was this high. Why did you ever support Goodluck Jonathan?

...because his IQ is high. Those with low IQ did otherwise because they couldn't understand the fraud that was being presented to them as change.

ClassicMG:
LOL @ United States having zero tolerance for corruption.. Don't believe the hype United States is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Most things you see about USA are just media make believe

Saying USA has zero tolerance towards corruption doesn't mean all Americans aren't corrupt. It simply means the country have a system in place that discourages corruption and does not accept shielding of corrupt practices by anyone irrespective its status.

TonyeBarcanista:
[s][/s]
How sensible does this sound to your ear? You mean after reading the epistle your best line is Trump is corrupt? I won't even want to detail by arguing this with you but you can create a thread for Trump.

i thought this thread is to enlighten the people, don't get upset at views from other people, lets have a healthy debate.

Watch how Muslims and Yoruba Muslims condemn trump, the Fulani Muslims condemn trump but sane Trump send military to protect Saudi Arabia their masters against fellow Iranian, the Yoruba Muslims same reason I gave above and because majority of their family relatives are illegal in Yankee.

If Adesina was from SS/SE region.. The story and tones from the SW region would have been different..

You would hear statements like

"Allow him to defend himself"
"SS/SE like defending their sons unlike we in the SW"
"Anyone that has worked with GEJ we aren't supprised"
"Nobody should interfere with US probe"


Now because their son is involved...

omoiyamayor:
are you African? if you are,then let me ask you if you know of any financial institution bigger than the AfDB on the continent, i am not trying to throw any shot at you,but it will ne nice to hear from your point of view.

Bros, all this question has nothing to do with the issue on ground.

The issue on ground is the corruption indictment on Adesina and call for independent probe.

NB: AfDB isn't solely owned by Africa members states, but jointly owned by member states from Africa, Europe, Asia and Americas.

omoiyamayor:
i thought this thread is to enlighten the people, don't get upset at views from other people, lets have a healthy debate.

Sorry bro, what I'm saying is that we should demand independent probe to ascertain facts and not be swayed by deception of the corrupt elites.

See, you may not like Trump just like the mainstream elites hate him even in America, but what you can't take away from him is his zero tolerance towards nonsense. He calls bluffs irrespective of whose ox is gored and gives no apology over it. This is leadership!

That is leadership!!! Imagine if Nigeria has such a leader that demands real accountability and transparency...

"Mr Adesina should as a matter of urgency show willingness in proving his innocence by agreeing to the prayer of the United States for an independent organization to probe the myriad of allegations."

they are coming for you with MENTIONS

TonyeBarcanista:

Bros, all this question has nothing to do with the issue on ground.

The issue on ground is the corruption indictment on Adesina and call for independent probe.

NB: AfDB isn't solely owned by Africa members states, but jointly owned by member states from Africa, Europe, Asia and Americas.

but what gave America the right to ask for independent investigations is my question, they dont own the veto power of the institution, the institutions board investigated and said the allegations are baseless, is America telling us all the board members that rendered the allegations baseless are also corrupt or are not capable, get my message bro, this guys have no believe in our existence, whenever we try to get better as a race,the try to take us down. D.R.C,C.A.R and libya remains failed nations from this west Action, if they cripple our strongest financial institution,we will never stop getting aids and funds from them.

TonyeBarcanista:

Sorry bro, what I'm saying is that we should demand independent probe to ascertain facts and not be swayed by deception of the corrupt elites.

See, you may not like Trump just like the mainstream elites hate him even in America, but what you can't take away from him is his zero tolerance towards nonsense. He calls bluffs irrespective of whose ox is gored and gives no apology over it. This is leadership!

That is leadership!!! Imagine if Nigeria has such a leader that demands real accountability and transparency...

In as much as I believe in accountability, I don't think that is the primary motivation. They want to ease him out to bring in somebody who would protect their interests.

In the first place, African governments should never have had foreign shareholders. There are other ways the finances could have been raised without giving out equity. That in my opinion, was a fatal error that may haunt them for decades to come.

omoiyamayor:
but what gave America the right to ask for independent investigations is my question, they dont own the veto power of the institution, the institutions board investigated and said the allegations are baseless, is America telling us all the board members that rendered the allegations baseless are also corrupt or are not capable, get my message bro, this guys have no believe in our existence, whenever we try to get better as a race,the try to take us down. D.R.C,C.A.R and libya remains failed nations from this west Action, if they cripple our strongest financial institution,we will never stop getting aids and funds from them.

The Board of Directors is headed by Adesina. The Committee that probed was appointed by the Board of Directors (Adesina). Now you expect USA or any sane mind to accept their verdict? Lol Can Ibrahim Magu led EFCC indict Buhari for Corruption?

TonyeBarcanista:

Sorry bro, what I'm saying is that we should demand independent probe to ascertain facts and not be swayed by deception of the corrupt elites.

See, you may not like Trump just like the mainstream elites hate him even in America, but what you can't take away from him is his zero tolerance towards nonsense. He calls bluffs irrespective of whose ox is gored and gives no apology over it. This is leadership!

That is leadership!!! Imagine if Nigeria has such a leader that demands real accountability and transparency...

concerning Trump i still disagree with your claim,trump is corrupt right from his campaign days,we all saw the breaking news on the news,but lets not get distracted by talking so much about him like you said earlier. My point is America is try to neutralize the power of the bank, by the time Adeshina steps aside,their favourite candidate is already waiting by the sideline with agendas to smash the bank into pieces.

PHijo:


In as much as I believe in accountability, I don't think that is the primary motivation. They want to ease him out to bring in somebody who would protect their interests.

If you believe in accountability you will face accountability and not bambooze us with conspiracy theory

In the first place, African governments should never have had foreign shareholders. There are other ways the finances could have been raised without giving out equity. That in my opinion, was a fatal error that may haunt them for decades to come.

AfDB started as solely African but thr corrupt African elites couldn't manage it, the body went broke and open its doors for everyone

TonyeBarcanista:

The Board of Directors is headed by Adesina. The Committee that probed was appointed by the Board of Directors (Adesina). Now you expect USA or any sane mind to accept their verdict? Lol Can Ibrahim Magu led EFCC indict Buhari for Corruption?

Nigeria is not the only African member, lets not attach this matter to Nigeria only,its a situation of Africa sovereignty. According to what i read,this foreign members forced their ways into the membership of the bank by many sanctions on many African nations which requires them to need aids and funds which the bank as at then couldn't provide, this guys are trying to get their hands on all Africa resources with this conspiracy on mr Adeshina.

slivertongue:
"Mr Adesina should as a matter of urgency show willingness in proving his innocence by agreeing to the prayer of the United States for an independent organization to probe the myriad of allegations."

they are coming for you with MENTIONS

This is to tell you that most Africans are not different from their corrupt leaders.

Ironically, citizens of the USA and Western countries that insist on independent probe are doing much better than those Africans supporting their corrupt elites.

[s]

omoiyamayor:
Nigeria is not the only African member, lets not attach this matter to Nigeria only,its a situation of Africa sovereignty. According to what i read,this foreign members forced their ways into the membership of the bank by many sanctions on many African nations which requires them to need aids and funds which the bank as at then couldn't provide, this guys are trying to get their hands on all Africa resources with this conspiracy on mr Adeshina.

[/s]
Damn! Gather nursery 1 pulpils and tell them this!

TonyeBarcanista:

The Board of Directors is headed by Adesina. The Committee that probed was appointed by the Board of Directors (Adesina). Now you expect USA or any sane mind to accept their verdict? Lol Can Ibrahim Magu led EFCC indict Buhari for Corruption?

Please stop misleading people, the information is out there for you to read.Adesina didn't appoint any board. read below;

The Board of Governors is the highest decision-making organ of the Bank, composed of one Governor and one Alternate Governor appointed by each Member Country. Each Governor represents his or her country and exercises a voting power proportionate to the capital subscription of his or her country. Governors and Alternate Governors are generally Ministers of Finance, or Economic Planning, Central Bank Governors, or other high-ranking officials. They serve for a term of five years, subject to termination and reappointment by the member country.

The Governors and Alternate Governors of the Bank are ex officio Governors and Alternate Governors of the African Development Fund.

The Boards (of the Bank and Fund) of Governors holds an Annual Meeting usually in May to review the Bank’s operations, make major policy decisions and provide strategic guidance.

All the powers of the Bank are vested in the Board of Governors although it has delegated some of those powers to the Board of Directors except the power to:

Issue general directives concerning the credit policy of the Bank;
Decrease the authorized capital stock of the Bank;
Establish or accept the administration of Special Funds;
Authorize the conclusion of general arrangements for cooperation with the authorities of African countries which have not yet attained independent status or of general agreements for co-operation with African Governments which have not yet acquired membership of the Bank, as well as of such agreements with other Governments and
with other international organizations;
Elect the President of the Bank, suspend or remove him from office and determine his remuneration and conditions of service;
Determine the remuneration of Directors and their alternates;
Select outside auditors to certify the general balance sheet and the statement of profit and loss of the bank and to select such other experts as may be necessary to examine and report on the general management of the Bank;
Approve, after reviewing the report of the auditors, the general balance sheet and statement of profit and loss of the bank; and
Exercise such other powers as are expressly provided for that Board in the Bank Agreement.

Since the Ethics Committee of AfDB has cleared any allegations against him initially.
Mr Akinwunmi Adesina SHOULD submit himself for the independent probe BUT the US of A MUST tender an open apology, for any inconveniencies IF he's found innocent again.

TonyeBarcanista:

This is to tell you that most Africans are not different from their corrupt leaders.

Ironically, citizens of the USA and Western countries that insist on independent probe are doing much better than those Africans supporting their corrupt elites.

Lol GEJites are always funny. Adesina is the only sensible Minister from the Locust Regime of GEJ, yet because of slimy ethnic politics they want him down.

TonyeBarcanista:

The Board of Directors is headed by Adesina. The Committee that probed was appointed by the Board of Directors (Adesina). Now you expect USA or any sane mind to accept their verdict? Lol Can Ibrahim Magu led EFCC indict Buhari for Corruption?

Secondly the Afdb has its laws that governs the bank. You can't request for actions out the constitution. If the board of governors cleared Adesina, then it was done in accordance with the law.

PHIjo and TonyeBarcanista are the same person. If you know, you know. However, your write up is unbiased. But for me, Adesina is only a victim of the Neo-colonial stagnation on Africa economy.

Karlifate:
Since the Ethics Committee of AfDB has cleared any allegations against him initially. Mr Akinwunmi Adesina SHOULD submit himself for the independent probe BUT the US of A MUST tender an open apology for any inconveniencies IF he's found innocent again.

The Governance structure of AfDB does not have a place for independent probe, one will expect that such a reputable organizations will have the integrity to self correct itself after all it's internal ethics committee was not composed of Africans only and had a Japanese as its head.

The US should simply learn to follow rules it signed up to, it has become customary for them to sign a document and go against it the moment it does not suit their interest, they signed the nuclear accord with Iran they violated it a d pulled out while still insisting Iran abides by its terms. They agreed to every security council resolutions dating as far back as the 60s on Israel and Palestine conflict notably amongst the one that rejects acquiring territory through armed conflict and forced displacement yet they are literally egging the Israelis on to violate all Security Council Resolutions. No sensible group of people should allow that sort of self serving narrow minded bigotry to guide any discussion about accountability and transparency, 2 qualities lacking in the current US administration.