News
Updated: April 12, 2021

Pantami Threatens To Sue Major Publishers Over Report Of His Involvement With Boko Haram

By Bolanle Akinlade
April 12, 2021
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Isa Pantami, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications has made it known that he will be suing some major publishers over a report in circulation of his alleged involvement with the Boko Haram Terrorist group.

Earlier on, the Daily Independence published a viral report on Sunday, alleging that Pantami was on the Terror watch list of the United States for his ties with the Boko Haram sect.

The Daily Independence however retracted its publication on the issue, stating that after an "independent audit conducted to evaluate the story, it was discovered that there was no direct attribution by the said United States Government agency."

In the retraction statement, the media company apologized to its readers as well as the Minister for the misleading publication and made it known that the report has been deleted from their website and social media platforms.

Following the retraction, Shiekh Isa Pantami took to his Twitter handle to condemn the media platform for failing to investigate the allegation before going ahead to make it public, adding that he would be bringing an action against some major publishers for defamation of character.

Pantami reiterated his stand on Boko Haram, stating that he had openly condemned the sect and even participated in debates that endangered his life.

The minister used the opportunity to touch on the issue of NIN-SIM Verification, which he stated was a tool to fighting insecurity.

He added that by virtue of Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 constitution, one of the priorities of the government is security and not just economy. "There is no going back," he said.

Pantami concluded by reminding Nigerians who are yet to verify their SIM using NIN to do so soon before the next line of action commences, adding that criminals are already feeling the heat.

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