General Buratai's Dubai Houses: Falana, Others Demand Probe

Some prominent Nigerians and groups have urged the Federal Government,
particularly the EFCC to launch an investigation into the finances of the Chief of
Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the purchase of $1.5m properties in
Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The Chief Of Army Staff and his two wives were reported last week by an online
medium to have owned two properties in Dubai said to be worth $1.5m.
Buratai said he's ready for investigation as he bought them with his earnings
and business money.
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview
with Punch, 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.”
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has slammed the Nigeria 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.
He said since public offices require public trust, Buratai should submit himself
to Code of Conduct Bureau and the 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.”
But the Ministry of Defence had dismissed the controversies being generated by
an online media report over the ownership of two properties by Buratai’s family
in Dubai.