EFCC Afraid to Probe Buratai Over Million-dollar Dubai Houses

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
has been accused of being afraid to probe the Lt.
Gen. Tukur Buratai over properties worth millions
of dollars he purchased in Dubai.

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu,
on Tuesday dodged questions calling on him to
probe of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur
Buratai, for purchasing properties worth $1.5m in
Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Many had argued that it is practically impossible
for a government worker like Buratai to have
earned such millions of dollars he used in
purchasing properties in Dubai. As a result, many
have called on the EFCC to probe him and where
he got such millions.

However, Magu while departing the Rockview
Classic Hotel, in Abuja, venue of a one-day
workshop on ‘Anti-corruption, ethics of the legal
profession and justice sector,’ was accosted by
some journalists who asked him for an interview.

Magu however, adjusted himself to take questions
from the journalists, but as soon as the first
question bordering on Buratai was asked, he
sharply turned back and jumped into his waiting
car.

The event co-organised by the Nigerian Bar
Association and the Presidential Advisory
Committee Against Corruption had seen Magu
saying that the agency would be going after
lawyers aiding and abetting criminals who have
stolen money.

Many have argued that Magu was just being afraid
as he doesn't want to step on some toes. How the
EFCC will go about this and clear the air before
Nigerians is yet to be seen. Many have accused
the agency of being one-sided in its fight against
corruption and if Buratai's case goes under the
carpet, many will be justified.

The EFCC has been accused by many Nigerians of
being afraid to probe Buratai because of his
government connections. Some have said if he
was in the opposition, he would have been
arrested by the agency a long time ago. However,
the EFCC has kept mum over the issue as
Nigerians continue to worry.

It would be recalled that a week ago, foremost
lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had urged
President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Buratai , if
the Army chief failed to voluntarily resign following
the revelation that he purchased the Dubai
properties.