By Abba Gwale
Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami, a revered Islamic scholar and Nigeria’s Minister of Communication has vowed to sue NewsWireNG, an online newspaper for defamation of character after they published a story alleging his ties with Boko Haram.
RETRACTION: Publication of Daily Independent Story alleging Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Sheikh Isa Pantami placed on Terror watch-list for alleged ties with Boko Haram Leader, Late Muhammadu Yusuf.
The online newspaper based their allegations on a video which Sheikh Pantami was conversing with Muhammadu Yusuf in Hausa, challenging his views on Boko Haram ideology. They also said he was placed on the US watchlist for links to terrorism.
It has caused outrage on social media by many people while defending the Minister, with many people supporting the call for the Minister to sue them to court.
Reacting to the news on his personal Twitter account, Sheikh Pantimi wrote:
“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.
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.
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.
For your information all, by the Almighty, no amount of intimation will stop Isa Pantami from implementing d good policies of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on security.
Finally, if you are yet to verify your SIM using NIN, do it very soon, before our next action. Criminals are feeling the heat,” he wrote.
