A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to a journalist and whistleblower, Isaac Bristol, identified by the Nigeria police as the face behind the PIDOMNigeria account on X.
The Nigeria Police Force said the officials from the National Cybercrime Centre arrested him for allegedly undermining the integrity of government operations.
The police said PIDOMNigeria was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State.
PIDOMNigeria was arraigned on charges of money laundering, unlawfully obtaining and disseminating classified official secret documents and cybercrime.
His arrest and arraignment by the police had stirred up the internet with Nigerians demanding his immediate release and end to the consistent intimidation of journalists and activists.
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 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.
He posted, “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.
Adejobi said PIDOM was apprehended in connection with “criminal conspiracy, offences against the Official Secrets Act, leakage of classified restricted documents, acts likely to cause a breach of the public peace, sedition, fraud, and tax evasion.”