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AfDB Board Commends High-Level Panel for Clearing Adesina
The Bureau of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank has responded to the report of the High-Level Panel appointed to further investigate the allegations of misconduct levelled against Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina.
The Panel had in its report concurred with the bank’s Ethics Committee in its findings in respect of all allegations against Mr Adesina and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee
At the end of a meeting Wednesday, the Board simply said it noted the report of the High-Level panel and thanked its members for delivering on the assignment.
The communique of the meeting reads,
“The High-Level Panel comprising of Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland (Chair), Justice Hassan B. Jallow, Chief Justice of the Gambia (Member) and Mr. Leonard F. McCarthy, President, LFMcCarthy & Associates (Member) was announced on 1 July 2020.
“The High-Level Panel was given a period of two to four weeks maximum to complete its work and submit a report to the Bureau.
“The High-Level Panel submitted its Report to Hon. Ms Niale Kaba, the Chairperson of the Bureau on 27 July 2020.
“The Secretariat transmitted the Report of the High-Level Panel to all Governors the same day as directed by the Chairperson of the Bureau pursuant to the request of the Board of Governors during its virtual Extraordinary Session held on 27 July 2020.
“The Bureau notes the conclusion of the High-Level Panel regarding the Report of the Ethics Committee – that “The Panel concurs with the Committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee”.
“The Bureau also notes the High-Level Panel’s conclusion regarding the submission of the President to the Ethics Committee — that “it has considered the President’s submissions on their face and finds them consistent with his innocence and to be persuasive”
“The Bureau expresses its appreciation to all Governors for their support and patience during this process that was aimed at ensuring the integrity of the African Development Bank and its governance mechanisms.
“The Bureau also commends the High-level Panel for its work and for working tirelessly to ensure timely submission of its report.”
Premium Times
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (NWC) has suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.
The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists in Abuja on Saturday, that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.
President Donald Trump of the United States on Friday designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), in response to allegations of widespread persecution and genocide against Christians.
Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that Christianity faces a serious threat in Nigeria.
The US leader also added Nigeria to a State Department watch list.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote.
According to the US president, he was placing Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and most populous nation, on a “Countries of Particular Concern” list of nations the US deems to have engaged in religious freedom violations.
According to the State Department’s website, the list includes China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan, among others.
Trump said he had asked US Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, as well as the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, to look into the matter and report back to him.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Gummi from the House of Representatives after he left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.
The lawmaker represented the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the ruling, holding that Gummi’s defection breached the Constitution.
The court said the seat does not belong to any politician but to the political party that sponsored the election.
According to the judgment, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is barred from recognising Gummi “as a member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency.”
The judge also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission to “conduct a fresh election” for the vacant seat within 30 days.
The case was instituted by the PDP and its Zamfara chairman, who insisted that Gummi’s move to the APC had no legal justification. They argued that there was no division in the PDP to support his defection, as required by Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution.
Gummi, through his counsel, claimed he left the PDP due to internal crises which he said made it “impossible” to serve his constituents effectively. The judge, however, dismissed his arguments and granted all the reliefs requested by the plaintiffs.
Justice Egwuatu, in a firm comment, warned politicians against what he described as reckless party hopping.
“Political prostitution must not be rewarded,” he declared, adding that lawmakers must not transfer votes won on one party’s platform to another party.
The court also ordered Gummi to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, until the date of judgment. He is also barred from earning any further benefits as a member of the House.
Additionally, the judge imposed a N500,000 cost against the defendants in favour of the PDP.
