Buratai denies handling $1bn defence fund, says ministry of defence controlled procurement

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has refuted claims that he had control over a $1bn defence fund. During a conference organized by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Buratai stated that the funds were managed by the Ministry of Defence and released to the same ministry for procurement. He dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, which had first emerged during the 2019 election period.

Buratai called for greater transparency in defence spending, advocating for an online portal to publish contract information without compromising national security. He recommended quarterly accountability bulletins detailing court-martial proceedings involving alleged human rights abuses, while acknowledging the need for credible allegations to be investigated and prosecuted.