The Arewa Discussion Group (ADG) has criticised Phrank Shuaibu, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over allegations of plagiarism and demanded that he publicly apologise to US-based Nigerian scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi.
The group made the demand in a statement titled, “Phrank Shuaibu: The Face of a Dubious, Roguish Merchant of Counterfeits,” signed by its Secretary, Malam Rabiu Maru.
The ADG said Kperogi had previously exposed what it described as alleged questionable conduct by Shuaibu, adding that its own dossier on the media aide was based on accounts from people who had known him as a student at the University of Jos and during the early stages of his media career.
The group alleged that some of those accounts portrayed Shuaibu as an opportunistic and unreliable individual with questionable regard for honesty, integrity and professional ethics.
According to the ADG, the allegations surrounding Shuaibu’s conduct became particularly significant following Kperogi’s claims concerning plagiarism.
The group said it was not surprised by what it described as the “shattering revelations” against Shuaibu, whom it said had been accused by Kperogi of appropriating intellectual works without proper attribution.
The ADG quoted Kperogi as describing Shuaibu as a “nakedly transparent fraudster”, among other strong characterisations.
The group said the allegations centred largely on Shuaibu’s “Mind Your Grammar” Facebook group, which it said was created to showcase his supposed mastery of the English language.
It added that Shuaibu was also associated with similar programmes on Channels Television and a Kogi State radio station.
According to the statement, Shuaibu subsequently earned public recognition and was described by some people as a “genius” and a “Professor” of the English language, while others reportedly criticised what they considered his exaggerated mannerisms.
The ADG alleged that despite allegedly knowing that he did not merit such accolades, Shuaibu continued to enjoy the reputation.
The group further alleged, citing Kperogi, that Shuaibu habitually copied materials from the scholar’s published works, including “entire passages” and “whole articles, word for word,” before posting them on the Facebook group.
It also alleged that similar practices were employed in some of Shuaibu’s radio and television appearances.
The ADG said the allegations had prompted questions about the credibility of individuals who present themselves as intellectual authorities or public commentators.
The group again cited Kperogi as describing Shuaibu as a “vile, contemptible, Janus-faced, disreputable scheming character.”
It also quoted Kperogi as saying that Shuaibu was a “wretched, dishonest, compulsively mendacious character.”
The statement further claimed that lawyer and public commentator Abdul Mahmoud had, while commenting on the matter, described Shuaibu as “a serial plagiarist, a master crook.”
The ADG said it supported what it described as efforts by transparency-minded Nigerians to establish the facts surrounding the alleged plagiarism.
However, it said the matter had wider implications because of Shuaibu’s association with Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group alleged that the controversy had further raised questions about the moral standards and integrity of individuals positioning themselves as alternatives ahead of the elections.
It accused what it described as opposition elements of using individuals with questionable credentials and claimed that some were working with “pseudo American lobbyists” to damage the reputation of Nigeria.
The ADG also questioned the continued relationship between Shuaibu and Atiku, asking what attracted the former vice president and the ADC to the media aide.
The group asked whether the decision to retain Shuaibu could create the impression that “birds of the same feathers flock together.”
The ADG subsequently outlined a number of demands.
First, it called on Shuaibu to begin what it described as a process of purging himself of the alleged act of plagiarism.
The group said this should include a public admission of the alleged conduct and public apologies to Kperogi and members of the public who, it claimed, had been led to believe that Shuaibu possessed a level of intellectual expertise he did not have.
It also demanded that Shuaibu redeem any pledge reportedly made to financially compensate Kperogi over the alleged use of his intellectual property.
The group further argued that Shuaibu should withdraw from the public arena for a period, saying it would be inappropriate for him to continue presenting himself as an authority on English language and public relations while the allegations remained unresolved.
The ADG said it would support concerned citizens who choose to pursue legal action if Shuaibu remained unwilling to address the allegations.
The group also appealed to Atiku Abubakar and the ADC to disengage Shuaibu from his current media role if he failed to voluntarily step aside.
It argued that retaining him could be “ruinous and counterproductive” to the objectives his engagement was intended to achieve, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
The ADG concluded by referencing questions attributed to Kperogi about the type of society that places individuals such as Shuaibu in positions of responsibility and celebrates them.
The group said the controversy should serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity, accountability and respect for intellectual property in public life.
It added that the country was watching the developments surrounding the matter.
The statement was signed by Malam Rabiu Maru, Secretary, Arewa Discussion Group.
