-Says Ethics Committee performed role in accordance with applicable rules

The Bureau of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has foreclosed the possibility of reopening the probe of the bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

In a communique signed by the Chairperson of the Bureau of the Board of Governors, Ms Niale Kaba, the Board further decided that an independent reviewer should take a look at the process by which the Ethics Committee reached its decision on Adesina.

The communique reads: "The Bureau reiterates that it agrees that the Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors performed its role on this matter in accordance with the applicable rules under Resolution B/BG/2008/11 of the Board of Governors.

"However, based on the views of some Governors on the matter and the need to carry every Governor along in resolving it, the Bureau agrees to authorise an Independent Review of the Report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors relative to the allegations considered by the Ethics Committee and the submissions made by the President of the Bank Group thereto in the interest of due process.

"The Bureau agrees that, within a three to six month period and following the independent review of the Ethics Committee Report, an independent comprehensive review of the implementation of the Bank Group's Whistle-Blowing and Complaints Handling Policy should be conducted with a view to ensuring that the Policy is properly implemented, and revising it where necessary, to avoid situations of this nature in the future."