Investigative journalist Isaac Tamunobifiri, popularly known as PIDOM Nigeria on X, has been granted bail. According to The Nation, the Nigeria Police Force stated that he was arrested by officials from the National Cybercrime Centre for allegedly undermining government operations.
PIDOM operates as an anonymous whistleblower on X.com and tweets under the hashtag #PIDOMNIGERIA. He was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State.
On September 4, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Tamunobifiri’s remand at Kuje correctional facility.
He faced a nine-count charge from the Inspector General of Police, including allegations of money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining and disseminating classified documents.
On September 27, PIDOM was arraigned again at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Notably, Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, attended the court proceedings to show support for those facing repression under the current regime. He remarked on meeting PIDOM and highlighted the plight of activists accused of treason.
He wrote on X: “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
Following the proceedings, Sowore tweeted, “Isaac Bristol granted bail! @PIDOMNIGERIA #FREEPIDOMNIGERIANOW.”
Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi had previously claimed that PIDOM “illegally” accessed restricted data and disseminated directives from the Inspector General of Police, alleging that he raised funds to support cyberterrorism.
