A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded whistleblower PIDOM (Isaac Bristol Tamunobifiri) in Kuje correctional facility. PIDOM was arraigned on nine counts, including money laundering, cybercrime, and disseminating classified secret documents.
The charges against PIDOM include accessing a computer network to mobilize support for the #Endbadgovernance protest, transmitting false information, and unlawfully obtaining and disseminating classified documents. PIDOM pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The police alleged that PIDOM obtained funds from unlawful activities and tampered with evidence by destroying his phone and attempting to flush it down the toilet. The court adjourned the bail application to September 23.
In a related development, the police named investigative journalist David Hundeyin and Michael Alade as accomplices of PIDOM. The police stated that PIDOM was arrested following a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The police alleged that PIDOM illegally accessed police-restricted documents and posted sensitive information on social media, jeopardizing national security. The arrest was made to protect national security and maintain public order.