Buratai denies involvement in alleged N1.85 billion scam
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A former army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retired), has criticized a report linking him to some 1.85 billion naira in looted funds allegedly recovered by the Independent Practices Commission and other related offenses in a property in Abuja.
Buratai, in a letter dated July 8, 2022 from his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN), therefore demanded that an online publication - Saharareporters, which published the said report, retract and apologize in the seven days.< /p>
A copy of the letter was obtained by reporters in Abuja on Saturday.
Our correspondent contacted Saharareporters editor Omoyele Sowore to find out if he had received the letter.
He had not yet replied when our correspondent saw that SR had published it.
The ex-COAS, now Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said that the very serious allegation contained in the report, which was capable of sowing hatred and public attack against him, had caused great embarrassment.
The letter reads: "We refer to your posting dated June 23, 2022 with the caption: 'EXCLUSIVE: Anti-Corruption Agency, ICPC Discovers Billions in Cash Earmarked for Weapons, Ammunition to fight Boko Haram in Abuja, the home of the former Army Chief of Staff, Buratai.'
"In the said post, you alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission recovered N1.85 billion from a house and office believed to belong to our client.
"You further reported that "the huge sum of money was among the billions of naira earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the government led by Muhammadu Buhari".
"This is a very serious allegation capable of sowing public hatred and attack on our client as a former Army Chief of Staff.
“There is no doubt that Nigerians are seriously concerned about the security situation in the country and said publication has portrayed our client as someone responsible for misappropriating funds intended for the fight against Boko Haram.
"As a result, our client was exposed to public hatred, ridicule and embarrassment, with his friends calling him from different parts of the world demanding an explanation.
"The post is not only false but malicious and an attempt to damage the reputation of our client.
“Our client, who is the current Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, rose through the ranks and became a Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army before his retirement in 2021.
“Our client, who was also a former Army Chief of Staff from July 2015 to 2021, led the battle against the insurgency on the ground with tremendous energy and resources, as well as the loss of field officers.
“Through your publication, our client has been ridiculed as a man without honour, dignity and incapable of representing Nigeria and portrayed as a fraudster/dishonest person before Nigerians and the international community.
"We hereby request that you withdraw your publication with a public apology to our client within seven days of receipt of this letter and a public apology to be published in two national daily newspapers in Nigeria.
"Note that if you fail, neglect, and/or refuse to post the apology within seven days, we will not hesitate to take legal action against your organization for defamation.
"We hope you will comply to avoid the inconvenience of litigation and its consequences."
Please share this story:
Please share this story:
A former army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retired), has criticized a report linking him to some 1.85 billion naira in looted funds allegedly recovered by the Independent Practices Commission and other related offenses in a property in Abuja.
Buratai, in a letter dated July 8, 2022 from his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN), therefore demanded that an online publication - Saharareporters, which published the said report, retract and apologize in the seven days.< /p>
A copy of the letter was obtained by reporters in Abuja on Saturday.
Our correspondent contacted Saharareporters editor Omoyele Sowore to find out if he had received the letter.
He had not yet replied when our correspondent saw that SR had published it.
The ex-COAS, now Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said that the very serious allegation contained in the report, which was capable of sowing hatred and public attack against him, had caused great embarrassment.
The letter reads: "We refer to your posting dated June 23, 2022 with the caption: 'EXCLUSIVE: Anti-Corruption Agency, ICPC Discovers Billions in Cash Earmarked for Weapons, Ammunition to fight Boko Haram in Abuja, the home of the former Army Chief of Staff, Buratai.'
"In the said post, you alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission recovered N1.85 billion from a house and office believed to belong to our client.
"You further reported that "the huge sum of money was among the billions of naira earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the government led by Muhammadu Buhari".
"This is a very serious allegation capable of sowing public hatred and attack on our client as a former Army Chief of Staff.
“There is no doubt that Nigerians are seriously concerned about the security situation in the country and said publication has portrayed our client as someone responsible for misappropriating funds intended for the fight against Boko Haram.
"As a result, our client was exposed to public hatred, ridicule and embarrassment, with his friends calling him from different parts of the world demanding an explanation.
"The post is not only false but malicious and an attempt to damage the reputation of our client.
“Our client, who is the current Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, rose through the ranks and became a Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army before his retirement in 2021.
“Our client, who was also a former Army Chief of Staff from July 2015 to 2021, led the battle against the insurgency on the ground with tremendous energy and resources, as well as the loss of field officers.
“Through your publication, our client has been ridiculed as a man without honour, dignity and incapable of representing Nigeria and portrayed as a fraudster/dishonest person before Nigerians and the international community.
"We hereby request that you withdraw your publication with a public apology to our client within seven days of receipt of this letter and a public apology to be published in two national daily newspapers in Nigeria.
"Note that if you fail, neglect, and/or refuse to post the apology within seven days, we will not hesitate to take legal action against your organization for defamation.
"We hope you will comply to avoid the inconvenience of litigation and its consequences."
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