The raging controversy over the academic certificates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, retired General Muhammadu Buhari may now be quenched as the Army has asserted that the papers are with it.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye, dismissed as untrue reports that the Army could not find Buhari’s academic records.

Laleye, who made the clarification at the weekend in response to questions by reporters about the status of Buhari’s educational records, affirmed that the Nigerian Army is in possession of records of serving, retired and deceased officers.

He added, however, that all military officers are supposed to keep original copies of their certificates and other related documents.

According to him, in the event where an officer loses the original documents, the concerned officer must apply officially for copies from the army adding that the army promptly responds to such requests.

Laleye said that as a former director of records department at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, he saw records of several older and retired generals, and did not doubt General Buhari’s claims that his records were with the army. Asked the possibility of the army releasing the certificates, Laleye said they could be released only to Buhari if the retired general applies for them.

News Express recalls that Buhari’s certificates became a subject of controversy when he failed to attach them to the documents he submitted to the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC), saying they were in the custody of the Nigerian Army.

•Adapted from a Newswatch Times report. Photo shows Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Laleye.

Update news