Concerned Nigerians Group Writes DSS, Calls For Arrest, Prosecution Of Pantami

Concerned Nigerians has written to the State Security Service (SSS) demanding that Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami be arrested and prosecuted, as well as advising President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the minister for his previous pro-terrorism remarks.

In a letter addressed to the Director General of the SSS in Abuja on Monday, sighted by News Direct, Deji Adeyanju, the group’s convener, said Pantami should be summoned for questioning with a view to prosecuting him.

The party also copied the US Ambassador to Nigeria and the High Commissioner, UK High Commission in Nigeria, in addition to the SSS (also known as the Department of State Services).

Pantami has been under fire after recordings of some of his lectures from more than a decade ago resurfaced, in which he made statements sympathetic to militant sects such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Following this, many Nigerians have called for Pantami’s resignation or dismissal.

Pantami, for example, was quoted in the 2000s as saying, “This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, particularly in Nigeria.”

He was also quoted as praying, “Oh God, grant victory to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.”

Concerned Nigerians wrote a letter titled ‘Terrorist Watchlist – Isa Pantami,’ which said, “We write to bring to your notice numerous publications in the media about Sheik Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications wherein he was quoted in the past supporting major terrorist groups -Al-Qaeda and the Talibans and describing Osama Bin Laden as a hero and better Muslim than himself. And that after public outcry and condemnation, Sheik Pantami has come out to confirm that he expressed such views and regret ever doing so.

“We, therefore, call upon you in the face of his admission, to invite him for questioning with the view of prosecuting him for supporting terrorism. It will interest you to know that many Nigerians are already wondering how he passed security clearance with your agency to become a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We wish to bring to your notice that terrorists and their sympathisers don’t repent, they are only looking for an opportunity to get close to power so they can strike harder. Sheik Pantami is too close to power and we urge you to advise the president from a security point of view to sack him in the interest of Nigeria.”