ICPC reacts as Buratai linked to N1.85bn after Abuja bust

Tukur Buratai

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday gave its side of the story about a recent bust purportedly linked to the former chief of army staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd).

Some online news outfits reported that N1.85 billion was recovered from Buratai’s home in a raid conducted last week.

But the commission in a statement by its spokesperson Azuka Ogugua debunked reports that multi-billion cash were recovered.

The commission 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 wrist watches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.

The ICPC said the property where the money was found is owned by K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor, whose managing director is Kabiru Sallau.

“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 5:00pm and 12:00am in suspicion of money laundering. Facts available for the time being indicate that the property is owned by 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 wrist watches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.

“The Commission arrested the Managing Director of K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kabiru Sallau and 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,” it said.