The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, who has been in the eye of the storm over recent allegations of corruption against him, has been seen in a video in circulation on social media singing and dancing away his troubles.
Adesina was seen in the midst of some friends dancing and singing to Bob Marley’s ‘three little birds” with the support of a live band in the background.
Quotable lyrics from the song says: “singing don’t worry about a thing, ‘Cause every little thing, gonna be alright. I won’t worry.”
Adesina, who is the first Nigerian to head the AfDB, was recently accused of unethical conduct and nepotism in his relationship with present and past employees of the institution.
It is however uncertain if the video was recorded before the allegations against him or after.
The former Nigerian minister and 2013 Forbes Africa Person of the Year has denied the allegations.
“In spite of unprecedented attempts by some to tarnish my reputation and prejudice the bank’s governance procedures, I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honour and integrity,” Adesina had said in a statement.
“I am confident that fair, transparent and just processes that respect the rules, procedures and governance systems of the Bank, and rule of law, will ultimately prove that I have not violated the Code of Ethics of this extraordinary institution,” he said.
The report of an internal investigation by the AfDB had been rejected by the U.S government.
The board of governors of the multilateral development finance institution is now considering whether or not to bring in external investors to carry out fresh investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, former presidents of fifteen African nations, including Nigeria’s ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, have declared support for Adesina on Friday amid the allegations against him.
