Afenifere, Falana Others Insist On Buratai’s Probe Over Dubai Homes

. “The defence the army put up for him is so silly” – Afenifere

Prominent Nigerians and groups yesterday joined Checkpointcharley in demanding the probe of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai over his purchase of §1.5million Dubai homes. They urge the government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to investigate him. Buratai and his two wives were reported last week by Sahara Reporters of buying $1.5m properties in Dubai.

Top on the list of groups calling for the scrutiny of Buratai is the Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere.The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with The PUNCH, said Buratai should be probed over the allegation of the Dubai property scandal.

He 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.

“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 (SAN) rapped the Nigeria Army for coming to Buratai defence over the Dubai homes. He said it was not the business of the Army to speak for Buratai on the allegations.

According to Falana, since public offices require public trust, the Chief of Army Staff should submit himself to the Code of Conduct Bureau and the anti-graft agencies to clear his name.

“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.”