|
Listen to article
|
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has committed Isaac Tamunobifiri, the individual behind the PIDOM persona, to the Kuje correctional facility. This ruling is the latest development in the ongoing narrative surrounding Tamunobifiri’s activities as a self-proclaimed whistleblower.
PIDOM was brought before the court on Tuesday to answer to a nine-count indictment, courtesy of the Inspector General of Police, which accuses him of money laundering, cybercrime, and leaking sensitive classified information.
Count one read: “That you Bristol Tamunobifiri ‘M’ 41 years of No. 36 Hardy Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court sometime between 2023 and August 2024, accessed the computer network using your X handle @Pidomnigeria with username #99%oppresed to mobilise and solicit support from Nigerians to unduly compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to perform or abstain from performing certain acts through a movement you promoted with the hashtag #Endbadgovernanceinnigeria and you thereby commit an offence punishable under section 18(1) of the cybercrime (prohibition and prevention e.t.c) Act 2015 as amended 2024.”
Count two read: “That sometime between June and July 2024, within the jurisdiction of the honourable court, you transmitted an alleged classified document of the Federal Government of Nigeria using 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 to NAHCON Chairman through Shettima’s office. Because Nigerians didn’t react enough, they went back and increased it to a whopping Ninety Billion Naira. ‘Saraka’for the men. Free money to cause the breakdown of law and order and you hereby commit an offence contrary to Section 24(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention etc) Act 2015 as amended 2024.”
As part of the money laundering allegations, the police claim that PIDOM’s funds were derived from illegal activities, which is a key aspect of the charges against him.
The court document alleges that PIDOM, in an attempt to tamper with evidence, destroyed his Tecno Phantom X phone and tried to flush it down the water system of the hotel where he was apprehended, as stated in the ninth charge.
Read also: Whistleblower’s Lawyer, Court Registrar In ₦1m Bribery Scandal
PIDOM denied all allegations, pleading not guilty to each of the nine charges levelled against him.
After taking his plea, the defendant’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, applied for a bail application, which was objected to by the prosecution’s counsel.
Following the legal arguments presented by the attorneys, Justice Nwite postponed the ruling on the bail application until September 23 and instructed that the defendant be held at the Kuje correctional facility in the interim.
PIDOM is charged in the case FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024 with allegedly mobilizing support for the #Endbadgovernance protest to unduly influence government actions, making false money-laundering claims against President Bola Tinubu, and contravening the Official Secrets Act 1962 by unlawfully obtaining, retaining, and disseminating classified documents.
A quiet police probe has uncovered evidence that suggests David Hundeyin, an investigative journalist, and Michael Alade have been involved with PIDOM Nigeria. This finding has raised important questions about their connection to the organization.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed that the arrest of PIDOM followed a referral from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Adejobi further explained that PIDOM tried to thwart his arrest by locking himself in his hotel room, smashing his phone, and then flushing the device down the toilet as National Cybercrime Centre operatives closed in.
Adejobi reported that the Nigerian Police National Cybercrime Center had detained a mysterious cybercriminal suspected of involvement in a range of illicit activities, including suspected collusion, violations of confidentiality laws, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, actions that could compromise public order, incitement, dishonesty, and tax avoidance.
