By kawaekwune Jeffrey
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied allegations that $49.8 billion got missing from the Central Bank of Nigeria during his administration.
During a book launch in Abuja on Thursday, Jonathan faulted the assertion that the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was sacked from his role as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) because of the alleged missing funds.
Jonathan explained: “Sanusi was not sacked; he was suspended. The Financial Reporting Council had queried the Central Bank’s expenditures, and there were serious infractions to be investigated. His tenure ended before the matter was resolved.”
He emphasized that there was no credible evidence to support claims of the missing $49.8 billion. He continued: “Our budget at the time was $31.6 billion, and the idea that $50 billion could be lost without any impact on the country is unrealistic. When Sanusi initially made the allegation, the figure changed multiple times—from $49.8 billion to $20 billion, and later $12 billion. Even Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) and the Senate Finance Committee found the claims unfounded.”
Jonathan recalled how international leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany confronted him about the missing funds, and he assured them that such money couldn’t have vanished from the country’s coffers.
