Buhari moves to save Buratai, Abubakar, ex-service chiefs from probe, nominates them as ambassadors

In a clear bid to save them from probe, President Muhamamdu Buhari has nominated the immediate past service chiefs as ambassador

Recall that Buhari had a few days ago fired Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Abayomi G. Olonisakin (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd), Chef of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd).

Following their sack, a group known as Concerned Nigerians had written the International Criminal Court, ICC, to probe them for alleged war crimes

ICC had since confirmed receipt of the petition

However, in a bid to save them from impending probe, Buhari has handed them diplomatic immunity.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement on Thursday

Adesina confirmed that their names have been sent to the Senate for confirmation

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs to the Senate as non-career Ambassadors-Designate

“In a letter to Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, President of the Senate, the President said: ‘In accordance with Section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.

Once confirmed by the senate, they cannot be arrested or probe, at least, till the current government leaves power.