Dubai Property Scandal: Prominent Nigerians call for probe of Army Chief, Buratai
Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:36:am National
2.7K By Buchi Obichie
The Federal Government was on Monday,urged by prominent Nigerians, to probe the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the alleged purchase of $1.5m properties in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
This comes on the heels of a report last week by online medium, Sahara Reporters, that Buratai and his two wives own such properties in Dubai.
Speaking to journalists, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said Buratai should be probed over the allegation of the Dubai property scandal.
He stated, "The defence the Army put up for him is so silly to be believed outside the barracks. All the earnings of Buratai since he joined the army, if all were saved, cannot buy a house in Dubai, let alone two.
"The Army also exposed itself as a lying institution when it said Buratai was never in charge of procurement in writing. The investigation should make Buratai to let the country know that he did other businesses to buy the property in question so that the integrity of the anti-corruption war can be intact.
"The house could only come legitimately through other businesses outside his pay. The savings from the salaries of any army officer in Nigeria cannot buy a house in Dubai."
Discrediting the report by Sahara Reporters,the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, had earlier stated on Monday, that the media report was an attempt by some persons to distract the leadership of the Armed Forces from the successful prosecution of the intensified campaign against terrorism in the North -East.
But another prominent citizen, Femi Falana, SAN, has slammed the Army for defending Buratai over the Dubai properties.
Falana said it was not the business of the Army to speak for Buratai on the allegations.
According to him, Buratai should submit himself to the Code of Conduct Bureau and the anti-graft agencies to clear his name, since public offices require public trust.
"Buratai should willingly invite the CCB, the EFCC, the ICPC to look into the matter. If Buratai was alleged to have unjustly purchased the houses, he has to come out to defend himself. He must show how the money used to purchase the houses was transferred," Falana said.
This comes on the heels of a report last week by online medium, Sahara Reporters, that Buratai and his two wives own such properties in Dubai.
Speaking to journalists, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said Buratai should be probed over the allegation of the Dubai property scandal.
He stated, "The defence the Army put up for him is so silly to be believed outside the barracks. All the earnings of Buratai since he joined the army, if all were saved, cannot buy a house in Dubai, let alone two.
"The Army also exposed itself as a lying institution when it said Buratai was never in charge of procurement in writing. The investigation should make Buratai to let the country know that he did other businesses to buy the property in question so that the integrity of the anti-corruption war can be intact.
"The house could only come legitimately through other businesses outside his pay. The savings from the salaries of any army officer in Nigeria cannot buy a house in Dubai."
Discrediting the report by Sahara Reporters,the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, had earlier stated on Monday, that the media report was an attempt by some persons to distract the leadership of the Armed Forces from the successful prosecution of the intensified campaign against terrorism in the North -East.
But another prominent citizen, Femi Falana, SAN, has slammed the Army for defending Buratai over the Dubai properties.
Falana said it was not the business of the Army to speak for Buratai on the allegations.
According to him, Buratai should submit himself to the Code of Conduct Bureau and the anti-graft agencies to clear his name, since public offices require public trust.
"Buratai should willingly invite the CCB, the EFCC, the ICPC to look into the matter. If Buratai was alleged to have unjustly purchased the houses, he has to come out to defend himself. He must show how the money used to purchase the houses was transferred," Falana said.
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