An academic and father of a student killed for alleged blasphemy in 2004, Prof. Samuel Achi, has claimed that Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, was the Chief Imam of the institution the deceased, Sunday Achi, was attending.
Sunday was studying at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi at the time.
Pantami’s sympathy for groups such as the Al’Qaeda has generated disquiet, with many Nigerians calling for his sacking or resignation.
The minister has, however, said that he has renounced the perspective, saying he has matured now.
In an interview with ‘The Punch’, Achi said he had forgiven all who were involved in the killing of his son but gave the indication that Pantami ought to be in a position to stop the tragedy.
“The incident happened in the early hours of the 9th of December (2004). It was from the night of December 8 to the early hours of December 9 that it happened. From the fact that I had; from clear indications; from the confirmed information that I had, he was not stoned. He was actually strangled inside the mosque. His body was discovered outside the university mosque.
“As a Christian, my belief is that even though they killed him by pronouncing fatwa against him, he was doing God’s work, so, I don’t think we have to worry about it. God has comforted us and we have been able to forgive everybody that did that terrible act.
“Of course, we have no control over it but the blood of my son would always hunt whoever has a hand in killing him. Of course yes, it is all over the place, I don’t want to go back on that.”
“We are not surprised to hear news out of it. We have actually forgiven everybody involved in his killing.”
“The allegations are not true. Do your research but the allegations are not true.”
