Court grants investigative journalist, PIDOMNigeria, bail

Investigative journalist, Bristol Issac Tamunobifiri popularly known by his X name PIDOM Nigeria, has been granted bail.

The Nation reports that the Nigeria Police Force said the officials from the National Cybercrime Centre arrested him for allegedly undermining the integrity of government operations.

Tamunobiefiri operates as an anonymous whistleblower on X.com, 99% Oppressed, and tweets as #PIDOMNIGERIA. The police said PIDOMNigeria was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of whistleblower, Isaac Bristol Tamunobifiri, also known as PIDOM, in Kuje correctional facility.

PIDOM was arraigned on September 4, on a nine-count charge brought against him by the Inspector General of Police on alleged money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining, and disseminating classified secret documents.

PIDOM was arraigned on Friday, September 27, on a nine-count charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Earlier, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday, announced his presence in court.

“Today, we are present at the Federal High Court in Abuja today in solidarity with individuals subjected to repression under the @officialABAT regime, today for the first time I met Isaac Bristol aka, @PIDOMNIGERIA, who remains steadfast and unwavering; others include activists advocating for great governance in Nigeria, falsely accused of TREASON, with additional names recently added by @policeNg and newly amended charges. #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #FearlessInOctober

Later on, he posted, “Isaac Bristol granted Bail! @PIDOMNIGERIA #FREEPIDOMNIGERIANOW”

Recall police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had said PIDOM “illegally” accessed restricted data and posted directives from the office of the IGP.

The police spokesperson also claimed that the defendant raised funds to sponsor cyberterrorism.