Pantami Denies Role in 2004 ATBU Student Killing, Challenges Accuser to Provide Evidence

Former Communications Minister Isa Pantami has denied allegations linking him to the 2004 killing of Sunday Achi, a student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

Pantami’s response came on Tuesday after an X user named Sodiq accused him of involvement in the death of the 400-level Architecture student, who was attacked and killed by a mob on campus two decades ago.

The post stated: “You that killed a student in ATBU, you’re now forming holier than thou. Ori e ti daru Pantami.”

Pantami described the claim as “100% untrue” and challenged the accuser to provide evidence in court. He said:

“I have never killed or directed anyone to kill anyone in my life, either directly or indirectly. If you have proof, take it to court. Otherwise, provide verifiable details so I can hold you accountable for spreading false information.”

He also criticized reliance on online sources, including AI tools, for spreading misinformation:

“AI systems like Grok get information from online sources, which can be incorrect. I have never issued any fatwa calling for anyone’s death. If your claim is serious, take it to court instead of depending on unverifiable online posts.”

The accusation brought renewed attention to remarks made in 2021 by Professor Samuel Achi, father of the late student. He explained that his son, a leader in a Christian student fellowship, was accused of circulating a tract allegedly containing blasphemous content—a claim he says was false.

Professor Achi recounted that his son was strangled inside the ATBU mosque in the early hours of December 9, 2004, and his body was later found outside. He added that the governors of Kaduna and Bauchi at the time helped recover the body.

Although Pantami was the Chief Imam of the mosque at the time, Professor Achi clarified that he never accused him of taking part in or directing the killing. He said he had forgiven those responsible but warned: “The blood of my son would always haunt whoever has a hand in killing him.”