ICPC Recovers Billions of Naira Starched in Buratai's House in Abuja

Alt: = "former chief of Army staff, Buratai"

The operatives of ICPC have carried operation that led to the recovery of over a billion naira from the former chief of army staff Tukur Buratai.

Also recovery during the operation that took place last week was recovery of over 50 luxury watches, including at least two Rolex varieties, from the former army chief, according to anti-graft officials familiar with the matter.

An insider said Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU got a tip off  about the cash haul in Brutai's  residence during a probe of a man identified only as Salisu, and was to transferredit to ICPC further investigations.

“NFIU discovered that N500 million was paid into Salisu’s account at once and quickly flagged it,” an ICPC source said. “When Salisu was queried he said he was a military contractor, but he was unable to show any evidence of carrying out any contract for the military.”

According to report by Sahara Reporters on Thursday, the recovered cash is estimated to be about N1.85 billion.

A source said it was during the ICPC probe that a raid on Mr Salisu’s place that led to the recovery of “hundreds of millions of naira, all in new notes."

The property where the recoveries were made in Abuja was linked the Bruatai, who on hearing it returned from Benin republic, where he is serving as Nigerian ambassador, to secure the release of the said Salisu.

It's suspected that the money was fund earmarked for melitary hardware procurements, as investigations are still ongoing to uncover source of the money.

“We discovered that the place is owned by Buratai and he has been working with the man to loot military funds for many years,” one of our sources added. “It is unfortunate that Nigerian soldiers are suffering at the war front due to lack of equipment.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Matters Commission, ICPC is yet to issue official statement on the matter.

Buratai told Peoples Gazette on phone  that said the ant-graft agancy had no warrant to search his property. According to the online media, he  abruptly dropped the call and didn't answer subsequent calls

“Nobody obtained any warrants to search my place,” Mr Buratai said by telephone. He abruptly disconnected the call when asked whether or not he was confirming the raid and cash recovery from his property — and did not answer subsequent attempts.

This recovery adds to the list of  numerous cash recoveries from government officials under President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration's mantra is anti-corruption fight.

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