The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) conducted an operation which led to the recovery of N1.85 billion from the former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai in a house and office said to belong to the former Chief of Army Staff.
The operation which happened in the Wuse area, beside the National Open University of Nigeria campus in Abuja last week also led to the recovery of over 50 luxury wrist watches including Rolex.
The anti graft officials were tipped off by a whistle blower
It was gathered that the huge cash was part of the money meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram insurgency.
“Last week Thursday, ICPC officials stormed a house in Wuse area of Abuja, beside National Open University and arrested a man, Kabiru Salisu after they saw N850 million cash in the house,” a source told SaharaReporters.
“He claimed the money belonged to Tukur Buratai who was in Cotonou at that time.
“Officials of the ICPC took him to an office where another N1billion in cash was also discovered. Also, bulletproof cars, BMW, G-Wagon worth N450m were recovered.”
“Serious pressure is being mounted to claim money found was only N30m,” another source said.
In March 2021, Babagana Monguno, Nigeria’s Natinal Security Adviser said that money running in billions earmarked to purchase arms and ammunition under past service chiefs were not accounted for.
This came few months after Buhari replaced Buratai and other service chiefs. According to Monguno neither the arms or the money meant for the purchase of ammunition were on ground upon the resumption of the new service chiefs.
The property in Abuja was later linked to Buratai who is back from Cotonou to resolve the matter. Mr Buratai, Nigerian ambassador to the Benin Republic had told the Gazette, via a telephone call that the anti graft office had no warrant to search his property.