The publisher, WikkiTimes
The publication of an investigative report alleging that Hon. Yakubu Dogara, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) squandered N1 billion meant for a constituency school project has reportedly put the publisher of WikkiTimes, Haruna Mohammed Salisu and his family in danger.
The investigation by the online platform claimed that the former speaker squandered N1 billion allocated to building model schools in Bauchi South Federal Constituency, which he represents.
The story, which detailed how the former speaker fell short in delivering the model school project, also unearthed how the contractors short-changed several communities billed to benefit from the project.
Recounting his ordeal, Salisu said, “At about 3:27 pm, my younger brother called me and told me that some three men in Peugeot 406 with a covered number plate came to my house and were asking for my whereabouts.
“He told them that I have travelled, and they asked if he was aware of a ‘damaging’ story I did about Yakubu Dogara. He told them that he was not aware of anything. They told him to tell me that since I have done my own, I should wait for their own.”
The threats came hours after a group, Dogara Digital Media Support Team wrote and circulated a purported rejoinder debunking WikkiTimes’ investigation.
The latest threat to the publisher is coming just three months after a similar threat was issued to him following an investigation which detailed how Makkah Eye Clinic, owned by Saudi Arabia Albasar International Foundation, deviated from its promise of affordable healthcare and resorted to charging clients three times the amount in similar private institutions.
