Former President Goodluck Jonathan has set the record straight regarding the suspension of former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Speaking at a book launch in Abuja, Jonathan emphasized that Sanusi was not removed due to his controversial claims that $49.8 billion had gone missing from government coffers.

Jonathan dismissed the allegations, pointing out inconsistencies in Sanusi’s figures, which fluctuated from $49.8 billion to $20 billion, and later to $12 billion. He explained that the actual reason behind Sanusi’s suspension was due to financial mismanagement identified by the Financial Reporting Council, not his whistleblowing activities.

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Jonathan also referenced an investigation by Price Waterhouse Coopers and a Senate Committee report, both of which found no evidence of the alleged missing funds.

In response, Sanusi maintained that he was “constructively dismissed” and stood by his claims of unaccounted funds. The event also featured the launch of the Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation, aimed at advancing education and AI initiatives in Nigeria.