The Nigerian Army has made it clear that the libel case instituted against Premium Times, was instituted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai as a bonafide citizen of Nigeria to clear himself from the damage which the publication by the medium caused him.
“This case is between the person of Lieutenant General TY Buratai and the Premium Times and not the Nigerian Army; the issue at hand is libel and not about disclosure of military information by the medium.”
In a statement today, Monday, Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said: “the issue at hand is purely allegation of libel in which Premium Times falsely and unjustifiably accused the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, of false declaration of assets, owning mansions and estates in Dubai and further stated that he was being investigated by Code of Conduct Bureau for false declaration of assets in their publication of 12th December 2015.”
The Army Spokesman said that concerted efforts were made to make Premium Times retract the story and apologize but to no avail.
“As a law-abiding citizen, he took appropriate legal steps of seeking redress through the courts.
“Therefore, this case is between the person of Lieutenant General TY Buratai and the Premium Times and not the Nigerian Army; the issue at hand is libel and not about disclosure of military information by the medium.
“The case between the Nigerian Army and the Premium Times of jeopardising military operations, fraudulent obtaining and disclosure of military information that led to deaths and loss of equipment, is still in the offing.” [myad]
