Buratai Drags Media Firm To Court For Exposing Recovery Of Billions Of Naira Meant for Arms, Ammunition In Abuja House
A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.) has sued Nigeria’s investigative newspaper, SaharaReporters for exposing the discovery of billions in cash meant for arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram in his Abuja home.
His suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2520/22 was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
SaharaReporters in 2022 exclusively reported how the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered funds (including foreign currencies) from a house registered to someone fronting for Buratai, a military contractor and Managing Director of K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kabiru Sallau.
Also recovered were G-Wagon; 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes Benz cars; customized mobile phones; several designer wristwatches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.
Buratai, a retired Lieutenant General was the COAS between 2015 and 2021.
It was gathered that the huge cash was part of the billions of naira earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
In a writ of summons by his counsel, Buratai sought among others, “The Defendant may appear hereto by entering appearance either personally or by legal practitioner at the registry or the Judicial Division in which the writ is issued.
“Endorsements to be made on the writ before issue: A DECLARATION that the Defendants’ publication dated 23rd day of June 2022 with the caption “EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions in Cash Meant for Arms,
“Ammunition To Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of ExChief Of Army Staff, Buratai” amounts to defamation of the Claimant’s character.
“AN ORDER mandating the Defendants to retract the said publication with a public apology which must be published in two national dailies and on the Defendant’s online platform where the defamatory publication was made.
“AN INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants whether by themselves, servants, agents or otherwise, from further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar words defamatory of the Claimant.
“DAMAGES in the sum of N10, 000,000, 000.00 (Ten Billion Naira only) being general and aggravated damages for libelous words falsely, maliciously and recklessly published by the Defendants of and concerning the Claimant in the online publication of Sahara Reporters of 23rd day of June 2022 with the caption “EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions In Cash Meant For Arms, AmmunitionTo Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai.”
“ANY OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER AND /OR ORDERS as this Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit; and The cost of this suit.”
The case which also has Omoyele Sowore as a defendant was adjourned to July 2, 2023, for the report of service.
