Pro-democracy and human rights group, Concerned Nigerians, has called on the Department of State Security Service (SSS) to invite Minister of Communication, Isa Pantami for questioning with the view of prosecuting him for supporting terrorism.
The group who made the call in a letter signed by its convener, Deji Adeyanju on Monday, pointed that Nigerians are already wondering how Pantami passed security clearance with SSS to become a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Pantami has been making headline after he was dragged into terrorism controversy last weekend after a report by Daily Independent newspaper said the U.S. has placed him on watch list. The paper later retracted the story.
The letter reads “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 sympathizers 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.”
