Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami has denied any involvement in the 2004 k!lling of Sunday Achi, a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
Pantami responded to the accusation made on X by a user identified as Sodiq, who claimed Pantami was linked to the d3ath of the 400-level Architecture student, who was k!lled by a mob on campus two decades ago.
The post read: “You that k!lled a student in ATBU, you’re now forming holier than thou. Ori e ti daru Pantami.”
Pantami dismissed the allegation as “100% untrue,” stating:
“Thank you for saying your mind. You are making an allegation that is 100% untrue. I have never k!lled or directed anyone to k!ll anyone in my life, either directly or indirectly.”
He challenged the accuser to provide evidence in court, adding: “Help the relatives of the deceased and take the matter to court. Alternatively, if you are strong enough, provide your full details so that I can take you to court for the false allegation.”
Pantami also criticized the use of incorrect information from online sources, including AI tools, saying:
“Grok and other AI that you depend on get input from available online information. It could be wrong many times. If you are sure of your allegations, take the matter to court. Otherwise, let us have your verifiable details so that we can meet in court. FYI, I have never presented any fatwa to k!ll anyone. Take it to court. Do not depend on an immature Hausa translator. Once again, let me have your verifiable details (not an unverifiable name on X) to take you to court for the allegations.”
The controversy revived public attention to comments made in 2021 by Professor Samuel Achi, father of the late student. He told Punch that his son, a leader in a Christian students’ fellowship, had been accused of distributing a tract said to contain blasphemous content, which he insisted was false.
Professor Achi said his son was strangled inside the ATBU mosque in the early hours of December 9, 2004, and his body was later discovered outside the building. He noted that the then governors of Kaduna and Bauchi states helped retrieve the body.
While acknowledging that Pantami was the Chief Imam of the ATBU mosque at the time, Professor Achi clarified that he did not accuse him of participating in or directing the k!lling. He said he had forgiven those responsible but maintained that “the blood of my son would always haunt whoever has a hand in k!lling him.”
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