Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami has dispelled reports linking him with the Boko Haram terrorist organisation.
Dr. Pantami’s response was contained in a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter handle @DrIsaPantami on Monday.
The minister, who acknowledged a retraction from one of the media outlets that published the spurious allegation, NewsWireNGR, insisted that major publishers of the newspaper, Daily Independent would be hearing from his lawyers.
1) @NewsWireNGR your RETRACTION through your independent investigation,has been noted. However, investigative journalism requires the investigation before publishing, not after.
Further, major publishers will meet my lawyers in the court on this defamation of character. https://t.co/08W3dP4tlf— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) April 12, 2021
Earlier on Monday morning, a report with a headline that read, ‘Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Sheikh Isa Pantami placed on Terror watch-list for alleged ties with Boko Haram Leader’ was published by a news website in Nigeria, NewsWireNGR.
The report, which has since been deleted and retracted, falsely claimed that the Nigerian minister had close ties with “late Mohammed Yusuf, the killed leader of Boko Haram with whom he allegedly shared jihadist doctrines.”
2) My lectures against the doctrines and all other evil people have been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered my life against many criminals in Nigeria. If you can't understand Hausa, get an objective Hausa speaker to translate for you objectively.
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) April 12, 2021
On his position about insurgents, Pantami said his lectures against the doctrines and other evil people has been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered his life against many criminals in Nigeria.
3) On the issue of NIN-SIM Verification to fight insecurity, there is no going back. Our priority as GOVERNMENT based on the provision of our constitution 1999 (as amended) Section 14(2)b is SECURITY, not just economy. For sure, no going back at all. Let's the sponsors continue
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) April 12, 2021
Pantami, who emerged the 2020 Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year, also spoke on the fight against insecurity through NIN-SIM Verification, saying there is no going back.
“Our priority as GOVERNMENT based on the provision of our constitution 1999 (as amended) Section 14(2)b is SECURITY, not just economy. For sure, no going back at all. Let’s the sponsors continue.”
The learned Islamic scholar said, “by the Almighty, no amount of intimation will stop him from implementing d good policies of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on security.”
https://twitter.com/DrIsaPantami/status/1381586456691552262?s=20
“FINALLY: If you are yet to verify your SIM using NIN, do it very soon, b4 our next action. Criminals are feeling the heat,” he added.
