Categories: News

I Didn’t Misappropriate, Embezzle $1bn Arms Fund – Buratai

Tukur Buratai has refuted allegations that funds earmarked for procurement of arms for Nigeria military when he held sway as chief of army staff can’t be accounted for.

Ekohotblog had reported that Babagana Monguno, national security adviser, in an interview with BBC, had said there’s nothing on ground to show for the $1 billion earmarked for purchase of weapons and military hardwares.

He added that the federal government doesn’t know how the funds approved for the purchase of military equipment were disbursed.

“We don’t know where the money went to. The president has given out some money for equipment but they are yet to arrive,” Monguno had said.

Subsequently, Monguno, in a statement issued later on Friday, clarified his comments in the interview, saying he was misconstrued and that he didn’t accuse the former service chiefs of misappropriation of funds.

Reacting to development, Buratai said no arms fund was missing under his stewardship, asking the public to disregard the erroneous narrative that sought to impugn his integrity.

The former army chief, in a statement through his lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, said whoever is interested in the details of the disbursement should channel such concerns to the ministry of defence.

“My attention has been drawn to an interview granted BBC by National Security Adviser (NSA), RTD Major General Babagana Monguno, wherein he was alleged to have accused former service chiefs of filtering ARMS Fund away,” the statement reads.

“I can confirm that Lt. General Buratai and other ex-service chiefs were never mentioned in the interview and neither was any arms fund missing under the stewardship of Lt. Gen T.Y. Buratai.

“Interestingly, NSA Babagana Monguno has denied making such accusations. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance any such misquoted narrative suggesting sleaze on the integrity of Rtd Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai.

“Anyone interested in knowing how arms were procured by the ex-service chiefs and particularly Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai should channel such request for information to the Ministry of Defence.”