Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has clarified that the $1bn approved for defence procurement during his tenure was released to the Ministry of Defence and did not pass through his hands or the accounts of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He made this statement at a conference organised by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja. Buratai described allegations that the funds were diverted as “political and malicious”.
According to Buratai, the National Economic Council approved the money for defence procurement, but the Ministry of Defence handled the funds and the entire procurement process. The Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force did not receive any portion of the money to issue procurement directives. Buratai emphasized that not a single dollar of the fund passed through his hands or through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
Buratai traced the controversy to the 2019 election period, when opposition figures allegedly claimed that the funds had been diverted for electoral purposes. He said the Federal Government publicly refuted the allegation at the time, but the controversy continued to affect the reputations of service chiefs. The issue has been a subject of debate, with many Nigerians questioning the utilization of the funds.
Buratai faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly explain how the funds were disbursed and contracts awarded, insisting that accountability should rest with the institution that managed the money. He stated that the $1 billion arms procurement controversy festered because the institution that managed the funds, the Ministry of Defence, remained silent while Service Chiefs absorbed criticism.
Buratai called for greater transparency in military procurement, proposing a defence procurement transparency portal that would publish general information on contracts awarded, contracting entities and delivery timelines, subject to national security restrictions. He also recommended quarterly accountability bulletins summarising court-martial outcomes involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct.
On human rights allegations against security personnel, Buratai maintained that credible claims must be investigated and, where substantiated, prosecuted. He emphasized that the military is not above the law and that transparent and credible disciplinary processes were essential to public confidence. This, he said, would help to address concerns about human rights abuses by security personnel.
Buratai's clarification and recommendations come at a time when there are ongoing efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the military. His suggestions are expected to contribute to the ongoing discussions on how to enhance transparency and accountability in defence procurement and military operations. The issue of the $1bn arms fund has been a longstanding one, and Buratai's comments are seen as an effort to provide clarity and set the record straight.
Key points
- The $1bn approved for defence procurement during Buratai's tenure did not pass through his hands or the accounts of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
- Buratai faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly explain how the funds were disbursed and contracts awarded.
- Buratai proposed a defence procurement transparency portal to enhance transparency in military procurement.
