Femi Falana Call for Buratai’s Probe over Dubai Houses

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has slammed the Nigeria Army for defending chief of army staff, Gen Tukur Buratai, over allegations that he diverted army procurement funds to purchase houses in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Falana in an interview with  Punch newspapers stated that it was not the business of the Army to speak for Buratai on the allegations. Falana argued that since public offices require public trust, Buratai should rather submit himself to the Code of Conduct Bureau and anti-graft agencies to clear his name.

He said, “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.”

Afenifere, a Socio-cultural group, through its national publicity secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, also called for Buratai’s probe.

Odumakin said, “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.”

Meanwhile, according to Sahara Reporters, the chief of army staff made payments for a second property in Dubai only a few days after his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 13, 2015. The online newspaper claims:

“Our investigations show that, within 11 days of his appointment, the general was making arrangements for the purchase of a second property from the same company in Dubai. Our investigators obtained evidence that, between July 24 and August 17, 2015, General Buratai paid a total sum of N42.2 million into TFG Sigma 111’s account in Nigeria (Skye Bank 1770380452).

“Evidence exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters reveal that General Buratai made N10 million payments on July 24 and August 7 respectively. Three days later, another N10 million was paid into the real estate firm’s account, The phone number on the Skye Bank teller is 08033349740 Saharareporters investigations shows that it belonged to a Nigerian Army Major Emmanuel G. Adegbola of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps (N/10808).  On August 17, 2015, the Chief of Army Staff paid the sum of N3,270,000 into the account.”