The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially charged Isaac Bristol, popularly known as PIDOM, with six counts at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following his 28-day detention without formal charges. PIDOM, a self-proclaimed whistleblower, has been at the center of a heated debate on government transparency and freedom of speech in Nigeria.
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PIDOM’s prolonged detention sparked widespread outrage among human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which called for his immediate release or formal charging. The NPF’s decision to file charges comes amid growing pressure from both local and international communities.
According to court documents, PIDOM faces charges related to the transmission of classified government documents and the dissemination of false information.
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The documents allege that PIDOM shared sensitive materials claiming that President Bola Tinubu released N24.1 billion to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through Vice President Shettima’s office, an amount that was later increased to N90 billion.
The court documents state: “That you, Bristol Tamunobifiri ‘M’ 41 years of No. 36 Hardy Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria, within this Honourable court, sometime between June and July 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, transmitted an alleged classified document of the Federal Government of Nigeria by means of X handle @Pidomnigeria with username #99%opressed wherein you knowingly sent a false message to wit: See the document below wherein Tinubu released the sum of N24, 143, 494, 567. 32 billion Naira to NAHCON Chairman through Shettima’s office.
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Because Nigerians didn’t react enough, they went back and increased it to a whopping Ninety Billion Naira. ‘Saraka’ for the men.
Free money with the intention of causing the breakdown of law and order,’ and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention etc) Act 2015 as amended 2024.”
The case has become a flashpoint for discussions on the limits of free speech and the role of whistleblowers in Nigeria, with PIDOM’s supporters arguing that his actions were in the public interest.
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As the case proceeds, it is likely to draw significant attention both within Nigeria and internationally, potentially influencing future legal interpretations of cybercrimes and whistleblowing in the country.
