49bn scandal: Jonathan’s gives explosive response to allegations, details emerge

• Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims that $49 billion in oil revenue was stolen under his administration
• Jonathan made the clarification at the launch of a book co-authored by former Finance Minister Dr. Shamshudeen Usman
• Jonathan highlighted how Sanusi changed his claims from $49 billion to $20 billion, and eventually $12 billion, pointing out the inconsistencies

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has refuted allegations that $49 billion in oil revenue went missing under his administration.

He made its clarification during the launch of a book, Public Policy And Agent Interests: Perspectives From The Emerging World, co-authored by former Finance Minister Dr. Shamshudeen Usman.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan speaks on $49billion Photo credit: Spencer Platt
Source: Getty Images

Jonathan addressed the long-standing claim, first raised by the former Central Bank Governor, now Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

Jonathan, who chaired the event, dismissed the allegations, stating that such an enormous sum of money could not have been stolen from Nigeria without noticeable economic effects, Leadership reported.

He explained that at the time, Nigeria's annual budget stood at around $32 billion, making it impossible for $49 billion to go missing without the impact being felt.

He recalled:

“There is no way such a huge amount of money could have been stolen in this country and the economy wouldn’t collapse. For a nation with a budget of $32bn, how would $49bn vanish?"

GEJ speaks on Sanusi's changing claims, international scrutiny

Jonathan also revealed that during his presidency, he was questioned about the missing funds by world leaders, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vanguard reported.

He reassured them that the allegation was false and later pointed out how Sanusi had shifted his claims from $49 billion to $20 billion, and then to $12 billion.

The ex-president recounted,

“I was confronted by Angela Merkel, and I explained that no such money could have been stolen from our country. "Sanusi himself reduced the figure from $49bn to $20bn and later $12bn. This inconsistency tells the story.”

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Source: Legit.ng