Members of the African Development Bank Group's Disclosure and Access to Information Appeals Panel (DAI Appeals Panel) have selected Mohammed Nyaoga and Devalingum Naiken Gopalla as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively, reinforcing the Bank Group's commitment to transparency and accountability.
The selection of the chairs took place during the panel's induction and working session, held virtually on March 6 and 7, 2025, - the first formal meeting following its constitution on November 13, 2024. During the session, the panel also adopted its rules and operating procedures governing its role as the final arbiter in disclosure appeals.
Speaking during the session, Secretary General of the Bank Group, Prof. Vincent O. Nmehielle, whose office supports the panel's activities, said, "This Appeals Panel is a testament to our dedication to accountability and excellence. We are excited to contribute to the African Development Bank's legacy of transformative impact across the continent." Following his selection as Chairperson, Nyaoga stated, "I am honoured to have been selected by my colleagues as the Chairperson of the African Development Bank Group's Disclosure and Access to Information Appeals Panel. As I take on this role, I am confident in the members and alternate members of the Appeals Panel who are esteemed professionals from various jurisdictions. Together, we bring on board a wealth of experience, knowledge, and best practices from across the globe that are vital in the delivery of the Appeals Panel's mandate."
A Senior Counsel and Senior Partner at Mohammed Muigai LLP, Nyaoga brings extensive expertise in corporate finance, governance, and litigation. He is also a former Chairman of the Central Bank of Kenya, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) External Experts Panel, and a certified trainer in central bank governance.
Gopalla, is a partner at Dentons with over 20 years of legal experience in banking, finance, and regulatory compliance. A barrister-at-law admitted to Gray's Inn (England & Wales) and Mauritius, Gopalla has advised financial institutions and regulators across Africa and Asia, excelling in project finance, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) investments, and cross-border transactions. As Chair of the Mauritius Chapter of the New York State Bar Association's International Committee, he promotes legal cooperation and regulatory harmonization.
The DAI Appeals Panel, comprising six members serving three-year renewable terms, operates as the second stage of the Bank's appeals process, reviewing decisions from the Records Management and Information Disclosure Committee (RMIDC). Its rulings are final.
The working session was preceded by an induction program offering in-depth insights into the Bank's Disclosure and Access to Information Policy--first adopted in 1997 and revised in 2012 to prioritize maximum disclosure, its Records Management and Archives Policy, effective since December 2018, and the presidential directive establishing the RMIDC and Appeals Panel.
The induction provided details about the Bank's proactive disclosure channels and information request process, as well as the role of Sankofa, the electronic content management program designed to ease the classification, management and access of Bank records and documents for staff. It also provided perspectives on how the Bank Group leverages its internal resources to successfully implement its policies.
Other members of the DAI Appeals Panel include:
- Dr. Dilys Asuagbor (USA) - Head of the Ethics Office at the African Development Bank Group.
Alternate members:
- Prof. Walter St. Hilaire Amedzro (Togo/Canada) - Professor of Development Economics at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and Associate Professor Fellow in Development Sciences and Business Economics at the Sorbonne Management School's PRISM Laboratory.
- Hon. Justice Zainab F. Jawara Alami (Gambia) - Judge of the High Court of Gambia.
- Mr. Mike Salawou (Denmark) - Director of Infrastructure, Cities & Urban Development at the African Development Bank Group.
