ICPC: Why we raided residence of military contractor

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed the reason behind the raid on a house owned by a military contractor, Mr Kabiru Sallau.

The Star recalls that an online newspaper recently reported that the ICPC raided a house in Wuse II district of Abuja allegedly belonging to a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), where over N1.8billion cash and other items were recovered.

Speaking on the development, the ICPC, in a statement issued on Friday by the commission’s spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said the house was raided in suspicion of money laundering.

The commission disclosed that the property is owned by the Managing Director of K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited, who is a military contractor.

It would be recalled that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), in March 2021, disclosed that funds running into billions of naira meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition under the immediate past Service Chiefs were unaccounted for.

Buratai, who was part of the former Service Chiefs, served as the Chief of Army Staff.

Following his retirement from service, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, where he is currently serving.

However, the ICPC, in the statement on Friday, denied that the house raided by its operatives belongs to Buratai, adding that the owner of the property has been arrested.

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The commission further revealed that its operatives recovered cash, cars, Rolex watches, and some property documents.

The statement read: “The attention of the commission has been drawn to some inaccurate and concocted reports in the media about the seizure of multibillion-naira cash, dollars, Rolex watches stockpiled in an Abuja property.

“The commission wishes to state that ICPC operatives raided a property in Wuse II of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on June 16, in suspicion of money laundering.

“Facts available for the time being indicates 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. N175,706,500; 220,965 dollars; 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.”

The Star