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US demands investigation into African Development Bank’s Decision.

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The United States Department of Treasury has requested an independent investigation into allegations leveled against the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina.

Some staff of the AfDB had accused Adesina 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”. The bank’s ethics committee carried out an independent investigation headed by Takuji Yano and cleared Adesina, insisting he was not guilty on all counts.

However, in a letter by US Treasury Secretary, Stephen Mnuchin dated 22nd May and addressed to Niale Kaba, chair of AfDB’s board of governors, rejected the findings by the ethics committee of the bank that “totally exonerated” Adesina and has called for a deeper investigation. The US Treasury owns the largest non-African stake in the bank.

Read the full text of the letter below

THE UNITED STATES RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF MAY 5, IN WHICH YOU SHARE YOUR VIEW THAT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SHOULD ADOPT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE BANK’S ETHICS COMMITTEE AND DECLARE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS “TOTALLY EXONERATED OF ALL THE ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM.” OUR CONSTITUENCY CANNOT MAKE SUCH A DECLARATION AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE DEEP RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMMITTEE’S PROCESS.

INSTEAD, WE URGE YOU TO INITIATE AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION OF THE ALLEGATIONS USING THE SERVICES OF AN INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR OF HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDING. WE EMPHASIZE THAT UNDERTAKING AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF FACTS, AT ANY STAGE, IS NOT AT ODDS WITH A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

THE ALLEGATIONS SET OUT IN THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON JANUARY 19, 2020, RAISE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT ALL RELEVANT GOVERNING BODIES OF THE BANK MUST HANDLE WITH THE UTMOST CARE, USING ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO THEM. HAD THE ETHICS COMMITTEE UNDERTAKEN A PROPER PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION THAT WAS IN LINE WITH THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS RESOLUTION B/BG/2008/L 1, STANDARD PRACTICES AT OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE BANK’S OWN RULES AND PROCEDURES, IT WOULD HAVE REVIEWED AVAILABLE FACTS THAT COULD BE GATHERED BY EXTERNAL COUNSEL AND FOUND IN INTERNAL BANK RECORDS.

WE FEAR THAT WHOLESALE DISMISSAL OF ALL ALLEGATIONS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION WILL TARNISH THE REPUTATION OF THIS INSTITUTION AS ONE THAT DOES NOT UPHOLD HIGH STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK WHEN WE NEED STRONG CONFIDENCE IN THE AFDB TO PLAY AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN THE CURRENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND HEALTH CRISIS, AND WHEN MANY SHAREHOLDERS ARE SEEKING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR PAYMENTS UNDER THE RECENTLY-CONCLUDED GENERAL CAPITAL INCREASE.

THEREFORE, THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SUPPORT DISMISSING THE ALLEGATIONS AT THIS STAGE. WE BELIEVE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS INSTITUTION TAKES GOVERNANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION, AND TRANSPARENCY SERIOUSLY. WE THUS REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE STEPS TO INITIATE AN IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, THE AFDB WILL EMERGE STRONGER FOR HAVING TAKEN SERIOUSLY ITS OBLIGATIONS TO UPHOLD GOOD GOVERNANCE.

THE UNITED STATES SINCERELY WISHES THE AFDB TO REMAIN A HIGH-QUALITY INSTITUTION WITH THE CAPABILITY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, PARTICULARLY AT THIS CRITICAL TIME. CONSIDERING THE SCOPE, SERIOUSNESS AND DETAIL OF THESE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE SOLE CANDIDATE FOR BANK LEADERSHIP OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE BELIEVE THAT FURTHER INQUIRY IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE AFDB’S PRESIDENT HAS BROAD SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE, AND A CLEAR MANDATE FROM SHAREHOLDERS.
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR REGARDS AND APPRECIATION FOR CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST.

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UK-Based Blogger Maureen Badejo Set For Court Appearance

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Popular UK-based Nigerian blogger and social commentator, Maureen Badejo, is set to appear before the Federal High Court on Monday to answer to a multiple -count charge being proposed by the police legal team to find fault, her lawyer, Barrister George Ogunjimi, has disclosed.

 

 

Chief Ogunjimi, the Bamofin of Ojo, Lagos and a dual jurisdiction practitioner revealed that Badejo recently returned to Nigeria in connection with an appeal court matter scheduled to hold in Ibadan on the 16th of February 2026 prior to her encounter with law enforcement authorities.

 

 

According to him, Badejo was arrested and interrogated by operatives of the Cybercrime Unit at Adekunle Police Station, Yaba, Lagos, following a petition reportedly filed by Apostle Johnson Suleman.

 

 

He clarified that contrary to speculation, the blogger voluntarily honoured the police invitation herself, presenting at the station without resistance.

 

 

“She was not picked up or abducted. She went to the police station personally in response to the invitation,” Ogunjimi said.

The lawyer added that while she was still at the station, another petition allegedly emerged, this time from the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Pastor Daniel Olukoya, which subsequently led to her being held and later detained at the Alagbon detention facility.

 

 

Despite the development, Ogunjimi expressed confidence in her legal prospects, assuring supporters that his team is fully prepared to defend her.

 

 

“We are optimistic. The alleged offences are bailable, and by God’s grace, we will secure her bail on Monday,” he stated.

The case has since drawn public attention, particularly among Badejo’s followers both in Nigeria and the diaspora, as proceedings at the Federal High Court are expected to begin next week.

 

As of the time of reporting, the police had not issued an official statement explaining the legal basis for Badejo’s arrest or detention.

 

Badejo has previously been involved in legal disputes with Apostle Suleiman, including a 2022 UK High Court ruling that dismissed his defamation claim and ordered him to pay her £19,601 in costs.

 

She has also publicised allegations made by a former MFM pastor against Dr Olukoya.

 

The case has sparked renewed concerns over press freedom and the use of cybercrime laws in Nigeria.

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Photos: Dakore Akande And Timini Lay Father To Rest

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Nollywood siblings Dakore Akande and Timini Egbuson have finally laid their father to rest.

Earlier this year, actor, Timini Egbuson, had announced the passing of his father. He said he never thought he would start the year by saying RIP to his dad, and promised to continue to make him proud.

His sister, Dakore Akande, expressed how heartbroken she is, yet glad that he was free from pain. She expressed gratitude for the memories and laughter, the legacy of excellence that he instilled in them, and his love for music and looking stylish.

 

Timini father's burial

 

Taking to his Instagram page, Timini shared photos from his low-key burial ceremony, which was attended only by family.

In his caption, he revealed that they said their final goodbyes as he bade his father farewell. The popular actor said his father’s strength and love will always guide them.

“We said our final goodbyes. Rest well, Papa. Your strength and love will always guide me”.

 

Timini father's burial

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US Mission Decries Horrific Kwara Massacre, Pledges Support For Tinubu’s Security Strategy

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The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the horrific and senseless attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State that reportedly claimed over 160 lives.

In a statement released on February 6, 2026, the U.S. expressed its condolences and backed President Bola Tinubu’s immediate security and humanitarian response.

JomogNews reports that while the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.

In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.

“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.

It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.

“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.

The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.

Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.

 

 

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