Former Minister of Digital Economy Isa Pantami reacts to allegation of k!lling a student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi

A heated confrontation unfolded on X after a user accused former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, of having a role in the 2004 k!lling of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University student, Sunday Achi. Pantami forcefully rejected the accusation and repeatedly challenged the accuser to reveal his identity and meet him in court.

Responding to the user “Sodiq (ex-muslim),” Pantami wrote: “No need of the shift. Lets meet in court, please. Let your identify be known. You can support the family so that we can meet in the court, including your grok and AI generated evidences.”

When another user shared a Punch article alleging that Pantami was the Chief Imam of the ATBU mosque when a fatwa led to the student’s death, Pantami insisted the allegations were fabricated. He posted: “Grok gets input from the available information online. 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, do that we can meet in court. FYI, I have never presented any fatwa in that regards.”

In a longer response, he reiterated: “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. If you have any evidence of that, kindly 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. Grok and other AI that you depend on get input from the available information online. It could be wrong many times. If you are sure of your allegations, take the matter to court… FYI, I have never presented any fatwa in that regards to k!ll anyone.”

The accuser had claimed: “You that k!lled a student in ATBU, you’re now forming holier than thou.”