Femi Falana, Mike Ozekhome; and the publicity secretary
of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin have called for the sacking
of the Chief Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai over
allegations of financial embezzlement
Falana says the resignation or removal of Buratai was
necessary in the interest of national morality
Ozekhome specifically demands that Buratai should be
tried before he be allowed to resign
Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai is alleged to have bought two
houses in Dubai worth $1.5m with fund diverted from the
purchase of arms.
Some prominent Nigerians have begun to pressure
President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the chief army staff,
Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai following the revelation that he
bought two houses in Dubai, worth $1.5m.
According to the Punch, some of those who called for the
army chief’s resignation or sacking on Sunday, July 10,
are human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN); another
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ClMike Ozekhome; and the
publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin among
others.
Femi Falana said the resignation or removal of Buratai
was necessary in the interest of national morality.
He said the explanation by the Nigerian Army authorities
that Buratai paid for the properties in instalments through
his personal savings was is a “cock and bull story”.
“In view of the ban on the opening and operation of foreign
accounts by public officers, the Code of Conduct Bureau
should be involved in the investigation.
“If the Chief of Army Staff does not deem it fit to resign
forthwith, President Buhari should not hesitate to remove
him in the interest of national morality.”
He regretted that the name of the Nigerian Army had been
“illegally” used to defend Buratai in the unfolding scam.
‘‘How an army General managed to save $1.5m has not
been disclosed to Nigerians. Since the General was in
charge of procurement for the Nigerian Army at the
material time, the cock and bull story of the military high
command has been called names,” the SAN stated.
On his part, Ozekhome specifically demanded that Buratai
should be tried before he would be allowed to resign.
“I will rather urge that he be first tried through our
criminal justice system trial, which is accusatorial and not
inquisitorial. When found guilty, he can then be dismissed
or court-martialled.
“Let the government for once prove us wrong that its so
called anti-corruption war is not targeted at profiled
opponents by putting him through trial as a serving
military officer. Just for once, I want to be proved wrong,”
he said.
Similarly, publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka
Odumakin said the illogical defence of Buratai by military
authorities had made the position of the COAS
“untenable”.
He said: “His position has become untenable with that
expose and very weak, feeble and sloppy defence. It is
preposterous to ask the Federal Government that cleared
him, to now fire him. And resignation is not in the
dictionary of Nigerian officials but he obviously is a blight
on the anti-corruption war.”
of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin have called for the sacking
of the Chief Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai over
allegations of financial embezzlement
Falana says the resignation or removal of Buratai was
necessary in the interest of national morality
Ozekhome specifically demands that Buratai should be
tried before he be allowed to resign
Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai is alleged to have bought two
houses in Dubai worth $1.5m with fund diverted from the
purchase of arms.
Some prominent Nigerians have begun to pressure
President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the chief army staff,
Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai following the revelation that he
bought two houses in Dubai, worth $1.5m.
According to the Punch, some of those who called for the
army chief’s resignation or sacking on Sunday, July 10,
are human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN); another
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ClMike Ozekhome; and the
publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin among
others.
Femi Falana said the resignation or removal of Buratai
was necessary in the interest of national morality.
He said the explanation by the Nigerian Army authorities
that Buratai paid for the properties in instalments through
his personal savings was is a “cock and bull story”.
“In view of the ban on the opening and operation of foreign
accounts by public officers, the Code of Conduct Bureau
should be involved in the investigation.
“If the Chief of Army Staff does not deem it fit to resign
forthwith, President Buhari should not hesitate to remove
him in the interest of national morality.”
He regretted that the name of the Nigerian Army had been
“illegally” used to defend Buratai in the unfolding scam.
‘‘How an army General managed to save $1.5m has not
been disclosed to Nigerians. Since the General was in
charge of procurement for the Nigerian Army at the
material time, the cock and bull story of the military high
command has been called names,” the SAN stated.
On his part, Ozekhome specifically demanded that Buratai
should be tried before he would be allowed to resign.
“I will rather urge that he be first tried through our
criminal justice system trial, which is accusatorial and not
inquisitorial. When found guilty, he can then be dismissed
or court-martialled.
“Let the government for once prove us wrong that its so
called anti-corruption war is not targeted at profiled
opponents by putting him through trial as a serving
military officer. Just for once, I want to be proved wrong,”
he said.
Similarly, publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka
Odumakin said the illogical defence of Buratai by military
authorities had made the position of the COAS
“untenable”.
He said: “His position has become untenable with that
expose and very weak, feeble and sloppy defence. It is
preposterous to ask the Federal Government that cleared
him, to now fire him. And resignation is not in the
dictionary of Nigerian officials but he obviously is a blight
on the anti-corruption war.”