On AfDB brouhaha, US gets only an independent review
THE UNITED STATES CALLED for an independent investigation but it seems an independent review of the process is what they are going to get.
But one cheeky analyst who would like to describe himself as independent on this matter had something cheeky to say about that. Read him: “I hope oyibos (Westerners) aren’t using their better knowledge of administrative/indictment procedures to pull the rug. I have my suspicions. If independent reviewer process isn’t part of the AfDBs charter, why bring it in?” he cheekily said.
Another commentator, taking him seriously, then retorted: “Yes, you may be right there. I didn’t think about that. And now Egypt and Benin are objecting to Nigeria’s substitution of Yonov Agah as WTO Director General with Ngozi (Okonjo-Iweala); one begins to wonder whether Nigeria’s influence in Africa is deliberately being eroded with the obvious assistance from the “1st” World! Egypt’s reliance on US and Benin’s on France aid cannot easily be waived aside!” He exclaimed.
In the next few weeks it would all be over and everyone will be back doing what they know best how to do, many observers told Business A.M. But some have wondered what had happened to the US after firing the letter calling for an independent investigation. While there was a lot of noise across Africa, especially in the home country of the embattled AfDB president, the perceived antagonist appeared to feel it had made its points and waited to a response. And that’s what came over the weekend, in the form of an independent review of the result of the internal investigation
The timing of the on-going controversy has left much to be desired, according to observers, who have alluded to a diplomatic chess game and a stiff upper lip approach by the US on the matter.
Washington had called for a probe after a probe, because of what it said was a lack of in an earlier investigation done by the bank’s ethics committee, which cleared exonerated Adesina, saying the allegations rest “on no objective, solid facts.”
The bank’s board said in a statement at the weekend that the new investigation is expected to be concluded within four weeks as the bank prepares to elect a new head.
Since the whistle-blowers blew their whistle, Adesina has insisted that his accusers were only trying to create a storm in a cup of tea.
When he visited his home President, President Muhammadu Buhari last week, he said that the allegations against him were mere “concocted lies” and aimed at rendering him ineligible for re-election.
“Some lies have been concocted against me to render me ineligible for a second term as AfDB president. The bank has its rules, regulations, and laws. And part of it is that any allegation must be substantiated with facts, evidence, and documents. This is so that there can be believability, and nobody can act out of malice,” Adesina was quoted as telling Buhari.
Observers have noted that the critical question around the ongoing tussle is beyond emergence of winners or losers at the end it; but rather around the question of legitimacy to reopen an investigation that had been concluded and when it all comes to an end.