ICPC Breaks Silence On Alleged N1.85bn Arms Fund Linked To Buratai

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied claims that its operatives uncovered about N1.85 billion in cash from a house and office in Abuja said to belong to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai.

The agency in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua described the reports as false, even as Nigerians continue to seek more investigation as per the veracity or otherwise of the viral claim.

An online platform, Sahara Reporters had reported that N1.85 billion was recovered from the home of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai.

According to the report, some ICPC officials stormed a house believed to be owned by Buratai and located in the Wuse area, beside the National Open University of Nigeria Campus in Abuja last week after it received a tip-off from a whistleblower.

The huge cash recovered was said to be part of the money earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

“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,” Sahara Reporters quoted a source.

But the ICPC, in the statement issued on Friday claimed that though its operatives stormed a house in Wuse, the property is not linked to Buratai.

The agency said the property is owned by K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor.

The commission also said contrary to the N1.85 billion being peddled in the media, it only recovered N175,706,500; $220,965; G-Wagon; 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes Benz cars; customized mobile phones; several designer wristwatches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.

Put together, the money that the ICPC claimed it recovered is N267.43 million rather than N1.85 billion.

The commission disclosed that the Managing Director of K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kabiru Sallau had been arrested and that investigation was ongoing.

The statement reads, “The Commission wishes to state that ICPC operatives raided a property in Wuse 2 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Thursday, 16th June 2022 between 5:00 pm and 12:00 am in suspicion of money laundering. Facts available for the time being indicate that the property is owned by the owner of K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor.

“The Commission recovered money and other items from the property viz-a-viz N175,706,500; $220,965; G-Wagon; 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes Benz cars; customized mobile phones; several designer wristwatches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.

“The Commission arrested the Managing Director of K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kabiru Sallau and the investigation is ongoing.

“The Commission is yet to conclude its investigation and prefers not to preempt its outcome and also avoid the frenzy of a media trial.”