Under-fire African Development Bank boss facing new graft probe

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank. PHOTO | SAM PANTHAKY | AFP

The African Development Bank on Thursday launched an independent inquiry into allegations of embezzlement and preferential treatment against its embattled president Akinwumi Adesina, who is seeking re-election in August, its board of governors said.

The investigation into Adesina, a former Nigerian minister for agriculture, follows calls for a probe by Washington, and must wrap up within a "maximum" of four weeks as the institution prepares to elect a new head, the board said in a statement.