Indications have emerged that there was a mild disagreement between a group of whistleblowers and the ethics committee of the board of directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) during the probe of its embattled president, Akinwunmi Adesina.

Clash

Email exchanges and documents recently obtained by PREMIUM TIMES show that the ethics committee and the whistleblowers clashed in the middle of the investigations into allegations leveled against Mr Adesina.

"Please find attached a document transmitted in accordance to the Whistle-blowing and Complaints Handling Policy of the African Development Bank and to Resolution of the Board of Governors B/BG/2008/11 regarding the Application of the Code of Conduct for Executive Directors of the African Development Bank to the President of the Bank Group," the email reads.

However, the committee declined a request by the whistleblowers to be updated with details of the investigations into the allegations against Mr Adesina, saying it would be in violation of the bank's rules.

Allegations

In a petition by the group of whistleblowers, Mr Adesina was accused of 20 breaches of the bank's code of conduct, including "unethical conduct, private gain, an impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment, and involvement in political activities."