URGENT: Bishop Kukah Issues Major Disclaimer as Fraudsters Impersonate Him to Defraud High-Profile Nigerians

​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 
SOKOTO, NIGERIA — The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has issued an urgent public warning regarding a sophisticated and "energetic" resurgence of identity theft targeting its Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah.

​In a formal statement released on February 10, 2026, by the Diocesan Director of Communications, Revd. Fr. Pascal Salifu, the Bishop expressed deep concern over the persistent use of his name by criminals to solicit massive sums of money from prominent Nigerians.

​The Anatomy of the Scam

​According to the Bishop, these fraudsters are not just targeting the general public; they are specifically hunting "high net worth" individuals, including:

  • ​State Governors and Ministers
  • ​Eminent Statesmen and Women
  • ​Respected Business Leaders

​The Bishop revealed that many victims, some of whom he has no personal contact with, have reached out to him after already parting with millions of Naira.

​A Systemic Failure?

Bishop Kukah highlighted a troubling trend in how these crimes are executed. The scammers often provide bank accounts—frequently through OPay—opened directly in his name.

​"There is obviously collusion with unscrupulous elements in some of the banks," the Bishop remarked, noting that despite his repeated attempts to alert security agencies over the last decade, the fraudulent activity has only intensified.

​How to Protect Yourself

​While the Bishop expressed his profound gratitude to those who support his mission for "faith and country," he urged extreme caution. To prevent further financial loss, the Diocese has issued the following directives:

  1. ​Verify Before You Transfer: Never send money based on a digital or phone request without secondary verification.
  2. ​Cross-Check with the Chancery: All legitimate donations or inquiries should be directed through official channels.
  3. ​Official Contact Points:
    • ​Email: sokdiocese@yahoo.com | admin@catholicdiocese-sokoto.org
    • ​Direct Contact: Revd. Fr. Pascal Salifu (+234 818 927 6598)
    • ​Social Media: @fada_pascall (X/Twitter)

​The Diocese remains committed to its work but warns that any request for financial assistance coming from unverified social media accounts or unknown phone numbers should be treated as a criminal attempt.

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