Muhammadu Sanusi II, the former emir of Kano, has urged
Africans and friends of the continent to stand up to ensure that laid-down
rules are respected in the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.
Sanusi made the comment following calls by the US government
for an independent investigation after the bank’s ethics committee had absolved
Adesina of whistleblower allegations of favouritism.
“The excellent letter written by the finance minister says
it all and I am pleased that President Obasanjo has weighed in on the matter.
Every well-meaning African or friend of Africa should speak up on this matter,”
he told TheCable.
“It is a simple adherence to global best practices in
governance. AfDB has clearly defined rules and processes for investigating and
dealing with allegations of misconduct. Everyone is innocent until proven
guilty.
“Since those processes were duly followed it is unheard of
for the rules to be changed because someone does not like the outcome.”
Sanusi, who is a former governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN), said the support being shown for Adesina should not be viewed as
“defending a Nigerian or a friend”.
“I have watched him at AfDB and his stellar performance is
there for all to see. This is not about defending a Nigerian or a friend,” he
continued.
“It is about standing up for what is right, for justice and
for principle. Africa and its friends must stand up at this point.
“My hope is that everyone will see reason and respect the
rules. As the minister has said if you don’t like the rules change them but not
retroactively.”
In separate letters on Thursday, Olusegun Obasanjo,
Nigeria’s former president, and Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget
and national planning, urged that the AfDB’s governance system be allowed to
play out.
“The call for an independent investigation 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,” Ahmed wrote in a letter to Kaba Niale, chairperson of AfDB board of
governors.
“As a board of governors, we must uphold the rule of law and
respect the governance systems of the bank. If there are any governance issues
that need improvement, these can be considered and amendments proposed for
adoption in line with laid down procedures”.
In a statement on Thursday, Niale urged that the office be
allowed to do its work and “let the process of examining this case to take its
course”.
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