Goodluck Jonathan Refutes Sanusi’s $49.8 Billion Missing Funds Claim

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disputed claims made by the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, regarding the alleged loss of $49.8 billion during his administration. Speaking at the launch of Sanusi’s book, Public Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from The Emerging World, Jonathan clarified that such a financial shortfall would have crippled the government’s ability to pay salaries.

Jonathan addressed the allegation in Abuja, noting that Sanusi’s statement in the book, edited by former Finance Minister Shamsuddeen Usman, was not entirely accurate.

The former president emphasized that Sanusi was suspended, not sacked, following his whistleblowing claims.

Jonathan also questioned the changing figures associated with the alleged missing funds, saying, “First it was $49.8 billion, then $20 billion, then $12 billion. I don’t even know the correct one.”

He pointed out that a forensic audit could not verify the loss of $50 billion but found that $1.48 billion required further clarification and that NNPC should remit this amount to the federation account.

The former president reiterated that no substantial evidence of the alleged financial mismanagement had been uncovered.