No Evidence Of Wrongdoing — Soludo Recounts EFCC Investigation After CBN Tenure

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has recounted how he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning after completing his tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying the investigation eventually cleared him of any wrongdoing.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Soludo made the disclosure on Friday while speaking at the commissioning of the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate Complex, which will oversee operations in Anambra and Imo states.

The governor explained that the investigation was connected to the activities of the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc, commonly known as the Mint, where he previously served as chairman of the board.

Soludo said he received a month’s notice to appear before the anti-graft agency and honoured the invitation. However, after appearing before the commission, he said he did not receive any further communication for about a year.

He explained that he subsequently contacted the EFCC to seek an update on the investigation and was informed that the inquiry had not established any corrupt conduct against him.

Soludo also recalled that his name had been mentioned in connection with the investigation, prompting the then EFCC chairman to clarify that he was not the subject of the probe.

According to the governor, the commission later formally communicated its findings to him, confirming that the investigation had not established any wrongdoing on his part.

Reflecting on the experience, Soludo commended what he described as the professionalism of the commission and urged investigators to formally notify individuals who are invited for questioning when investigations ultimately clear them of wrongdoing.

He noted that invitations by anti-graft agencies can sometimes be interpreted publicly as evidence of guilt, stressing the importance of communicating the outcome of investigations to prevent such impressions.