By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah has distance himself from the unpatriotic efforts of some elements using his name to solicit financial support from unsuspecting good hearted individuals.
Kukah who made the disclaimer in a statement signed by the Director of Communication of the Diocese, Revd. Father Pascal Salifu decried that these criminals are targeting influential persons for such crimes.
According to the respected outspoken religious leader, he has enjoyed trust and kindness of millions from within and outside Nigeria, thus efforts to smear his reputation by those engaging in such dubious acts will be humiliated.
The statement read in part, “On behalf of the Bishop, I wish to draw the attention of the general public to this disclaimer in his words,
“For over ten years now, my name has been bandied around by criminals soliciting for money from prominent Nigerians. Initially, I responded to by issuing disclaimers. After some time, we had some respite. Now, there has been a renewed and energetic use of my name by these criminals again. I have tried to alert the security agencies but things have not changed”.
Kukah, who informed that these criminals opened bank account with ‘Opay” and a collision with some unscrupulous elements in some banks using his name to solicit for money from Governor’s, Ministers and very prominently respected individuals posing as him, added that, some often call him for confirmation while others don’t hence fall victims of their antics.
While appreciating all those that have and will continue to support their cause, Bishop Kukah appealed to all and sundry to kindly be vigilant, cross check and possibly reach out to him or the Diocese through sokdiocese@yahoo.com or admin@catholicdiocese-sokoto.org or the Diocese Director of Communication, Revd. Father Pascal Salifu for clarification before any donation.
