The Federal High Court in Abuja, under the authority of Justice Emeka Nwite, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, commonly referred to as PIDOM, in Kuje Prison.
Naija News reports that PIDOM, who identifies as a whistleblower, was arraigned on nine counts, including money laundering, cybercrime, and the unlawful dissemination of classified documents, as brought by the Inspector General of Police.
Among the allegations, the police accused PIDOM of acquiring funds through illegal activities, which formed the basis of the money laundering charges.
Additionally, he was accused of destroying evidence by breaking his Tecno Phantom X phone and attempting to flush it down the toilet at the hotel where he was apprehended.
Despite these charges, PIDOM pleaded not guilty to all counts during his arraignment.
Following his plea, PIDOM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the case until September 23, when a decision on the bail application will be made. In the meantime, PIDOM will remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Facility.
According to court documents labelled FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024, PIDOM is also accused of inciting public unrest through the #Endbadgovernance protest, making false money-laundering accusations against President Bola Tinubu, and illegally obtaining and sharing classified documents in violation of the Official Secrets Act of 1962.
In a related development, the police have linked investigative journalist David Hundeyin and one Michael Alade as accomplices in the case.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi stated that PIDOM’s arrest followed a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Adejobi explained that when National Cybercrime Centre officers arrived at PIDOM’s hotel to arrest him, he resisted, locked himself in his room, destroyed his phone, and flushed it down the toilet in an attempt to destroy evidence. He also refused to provide the phone’s password, claiming he had forgotten it.
Adejobi said, “The operatives of the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center have apprehended an anonymous hacker in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, offences against the Official Secret Act, leakage of classified and restricted documents, acts likely to cause breach of public peace, sedition, fraud, and tax evasion.
“The discreet investigation was initiated to identify those responsible for the leakage, which led to the identification of Bristol Isaac, Michael Temidayo Alade and David Hundeyin who are suspects in connection with the alleged crimes.
“The principal suspect, Bristol Isaac, was apprehended at a hotel in Port Harcourt by National Cybercrime Center detectives.
“In an attempt to resist arrest, the suspect locked himself in the hotel room, smashed his phone, and flushed it down the toilet to destroy evidence. He also refused to surrender his phone’s password, claiming he had forgotten it, thereby concealing information. Subsequent investigations after his arrest revealed several suspicious activities between the principal suspect and his accomplices.”
The investigation revealed that PIDOM had accessed restricted police data and shared sensitive information, including a document from the Office of the President to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He was also found to have illegally obtained police-restricted documents, which he then published, jeopardizing Nigeria’s security network.
Adejobi emphasized that PIDOM’s arrest was crucial for safeguarding national security and maintaining public order. He assured that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in these criminal activities.
When asked about the investigation into Hundeyin and Alade, Adejobi indicated that the police are likely pursuing their interrogation and potential involvement in the case.
He noted, “I’m sure they are working assiduously to see how they can get them.
“Perhaps they must have sent an invitation letter to them. Or they must have contacted them one way or the other. I don’t know the plan the team has.
“But I’m sure since they have fingered them, they want to interrogate them for further action. The police will do the needful to make sure everyone involved in such crimes will be brought to book after thorough interrogation and investigation.”
This development follows David Hundeyin’s alarm on social media platform X about PIDOM’s disappearance, where he shared messages from an unnamed associate detailing PIDOM’s situation.
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