Sokoto Catholic Diocese issues disclaimer as fraudsters impersonate Bishop Kukah online

Sokoto Catholic Diocese issues disclaimer as fraudsters impersonate Bishop Kukah online
Sokoto Catholic Diocese issues disclaimer as fraudsters impersonate Bishop Kukah online

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has issued a disclaimer on behalf of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, in response to rumors that fraudsters are using Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah’s identity on social media to solicit money and other favors from influential people around the nation.

This was said in a recent statement from the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, which was signed by the Director, Directorate of Social Media, Rev. Fr. Christopher A. Omotosho.

The diocese had reportedly issued a number of clarifications in this regard, but the practice had persisted, and numerous innocent persons had donated large sums of money to the tune of millions of naira for projects that were either associated with the bishop or the diocese of Sokoto.

To combat this practice, people are advised to call, text, chat, or email the Chancery for confirmation and clarification if anyone makes a request in the bishop’s name to them or their organization.

The contact persons include Fr. Chris Omotosho: 08027307423; Fr. Cornelius Tagwai: 08035776334; [email protected], [email protected].

Also addressed in the statement is the circulating fake stories purported to be the result of an interview that Bishop Kukah granted to Channels television.

In what the diocese described as a “doctored and slanted text”, it was alleged that the bishop said that neither Alhaji Abubakar Atiku nor Peter Obi qualify to be President and that only the APC candidate and current governor-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu best qualifies for the leadership role.

The diocese, however, clarified that the bishop did not comment on any of the presidential candidates by names in the said interview.

The official statement reads; “DISCLAIMER ON BEHALF OF BISHOP MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH

“It has come to our notice that over the years, the name of our Bishop, Most Rev. Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah has been freely circulated around the social media by fraudsters seeking financial and other favours from prominent citizens across the country.

“Over the last six or so years, many innocent people have parted with their hard-earned money running into millions of naira in the name of donations to causes attributed to either our Bishop or the Diocese of Sokoto. We issued disclaimers but this has persisted.

“Should anyone make a request in our Bishop’s name to you or your organization, please kindly call, text, chat or email our Chancery for confirmation and clarification (Fr. Chris Omotosho: 08027307423; Fr. Cornelius Tagwai: 08035776334; [email protected], [email protected])

“Secondly, in the last few days, certain desperate individuals have been circulating fake stories purported to be the result of an interview that our Bishop granted to Channels television.

“It is claimed in the doctored and slanted text that the Bishop said that neither Alhaji Abubakar Atiku nor Peter Obi qualifies to be President and that only Asiwaju Bola Tinubu best qualifies.

“Those who are interested in what our Bishop said in the interview can find the full version online. This piece of information should be treated as fake news as the Bishop did not comment on any of these Nigerians by names in the said interview.”

Meanwhile, the diocese maintains a website, www.catholicdiocese-sakota.org, where information about its activities, events, and projects can be found.