Soludo Reveals How EFCC Investigation Cleared Him of Wrongdoing as CBN Governor

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has recounted how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated his activities as a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and later informed him that no evidence of wrongdoing had been established.

Soludo shared the account on Friday during the inauguration of the EFCC’s Awka Zonal Directorate, where he praised what he described as the commission’s professionalism in handling investigations. The event was attended by senior government officials and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede.

The governor said the investigation began after the EFCC started examining the activities of one of the agencies under the CBN. He explained that he had been chairman of the agency’s board during his tenure as CBN governor and was therefore invited to clarify what he knew about the matter.

Soludo said he received a one-month notice to appear before investigators and honoured the invitation. After his appearance, he said he heard nothing about the matter for about a year before writing to the EFCC to request an update.

According to him, the commission subsequently replied that its investigation had not revealed anything against him. Soludo said he later sought clarification again and received another response stating that the investigation had concluded without evidence linking him to wrongdoing.

He said the former EFCC chairman also later explained that he was not personally a subject of the investigation but had been invited because of his position as chairman of the board when the matter occurred.

“I deeply appreciate that sense of professionalism because when you invite people, you investigate, when you finish, and the answer is nothing you deserve a response,” Soludo said.

Soludo’s account relates to an investigation that had previously been publicly reported in connection with allegations surrounding polymer banknote contracts during his tenure at the CBN. In 2015, then-EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde publicly said the commission’s investigation had not found Soludo involved in the alleged wrongdoing.

The governor’s comments came as the EFCC opened its new Awka zonal facility and renewed its focus on tackling economic and financial crimes. EFCC Chairman Olukoyede has said the commission is increasingly emphasising prevention, including monitoring the use of public funds, alongside investigations and asset recovery.