President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held a meeting with the President of the Africa Development Bank (AFDB), Mr Akinwunmi Adesina.
Also at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama.
Mr Adesina, however, declined to speak with journalists at the end of the meeting which lasted about 45 minutes.
This meeting follows a petition by a group of whistle-blowers against Adesina, accusing him of breaching AFDB’s code of conduct, some of which include private gains, impediments to efficiency, preferential treatment, and involvement in political activities.
The group, which noted their allegations were in line with AfDB’s whistleblowing policy, said these activities adversely affected the confidence and integrity of the bank.
Adesina has continued to deny these allegations insisting he was innocent.
“I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped-up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honour and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank,” Adesina said recently while responding to the accusations.
The Nigerian government has, however, continued to rally support for Adesina. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed in a letter urged the board of the AfDB to ignore calls for an independent investigation of Mr Adesina.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo had recently in a statement also urged the board of AfDB to ignore calls for an independent investigation of Adesina by the US treasury secretary.
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