By Ibekimi Oriamaja
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retired), former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has criticized a report linking him to N1.85 billion in looted funds allegedly recovered by the Independent Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) in an Abuja property.
Buratai is demanding that an online publication – Sahara Reporters – that published the said report retract it and apologize within seven days, according to a letter dated July 8, 2022 from his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN).
The ex-Army chief, who is now Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said the serious allegation in the report has caused him great embarrassment because it has the potential to incite public hatred and attack against him.
“We refer to your publication on June 23rd, 2022, with the headline: ‘EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions In Cash Meant For Arms, Ammunition To Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Buratal.'”
“In the aforementioned publication, you stated that the ICPC recovered N1.85 billion from our client’s alleged house and office.”
“You also stated that ‘the large sum of money was set aside by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government for the purchase of arms and ammunition.’
“This is a very serious allegation that has the potential to incite public hatred and attack against our client as a former Chief of Army Staff.”
“There is no doubt that Nigerians are deeply concerned about the country’s security situation, and the aforementioned publication has implicated our client in diverting funds intended for Boko Haram’s fight.”
“As a result, our client has been subjected to public scorn, ridicule, and embarrassment, with friends from all over the world pleading with him for an explanation.”
“The publication is not only false, but it is also malicious and intended to harm our client’s reputation.”
“Before retiring in 2021, our client, the current Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army to become a Lieutenant General.”
“Our client, who served as Chief of Army Staff from July 2015 to 2021, brought the insurgency battle to the battlefield with tremendous energy and resources, as well as the loss of field officers.”
“By your publication, our client has been mocked as a man without honour, dignity, or the ability to represent Nigeria, as well as portrayed as a fraudster/ dishonest person in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.”
“We hereby demand that you retract your publication, publicly apologize to our client, and publish a public apology in two Nigerian national dailies within seven days of receiving this letter.”
“Please be advised that we will not hesitate to file a defamation lawsuit against your organization if you fail, neglect, or refuse to publish the apology within seven days of today.”
