By Augustine Ehikioya
The anti-corruption agency, Independent Corrupt Practices an Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has denied raiding the house of the former Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd).
Reports in the media had alleged that ICPC stormed Buratai’s property and recovered huge sums of money.
The cash, the reports claimed, were meant for purchase of arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram terrorists during his Tenure.
But a statement issued on Friday by the the Legal Advisor, Osuagwu Ugochukwu ESQ, and obtained by Security Watch Africa (SWA), debunked the reports claiming that huge sum of money was found in Buratai’s house.
Stressing that the reports were fabricated lies and mischievous campaign of calumny against Buratai, he said the reports were calculated attempt to tarnish the image and reputation of the former Army Chief.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to a recent publication on the webpage of Sahara reporters titled “EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions In Cash Meant For Arms, Ammunition To Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai” which was published on 23/06/2022.
“I have gone through the said publication and have interfaced with Ambassador T.Y.Buratai and can authoritatively say that the content of the publication is false, concocted and malicious.
“It is on record that on or about April 5, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the purchase of equipment worth $1bn for the military through the Ministry of Defence.
“It is a fact that the first batch of six Super Tucano fighter jets arrived Nigeria on July 22, 2021, while the final batch of the 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets arrived on October 18, 2021. No arms fund is ever missing contrary to some previous mischievous publications,” he stated.
He went on “It should be put on record that no such amount N850M or any similar sum, was found with Ambassador Buratai nor does he have any aide bearing such name as mentioned in the report.
“Ambassador Buratai has no office or house in Wuse, Abuja (address not supplied by SR), nor does he have any bulletproof cars, BMW, G-Wagon (Particulars of the vehicle not also supplied by SR) worth N450m and neither is ICPC investigating any of such allegations.
“We view this as an orchestrated act aimed at tarnishing the image of Lt Gen. T.Y Buratai and we shall take all legal steps to hold the publishers accountable for such grievous character assassination on the image of Lt. Gen T.Y Buratai (RTD),” he stated.