Whistleblower 'PIDOMNigeria' Faces 9 Charges Including Inciting Protest, Leaking Classified Documents | #NwokeukwuMascot
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The Nigerian Police Force has formally charged Isaac Bristol, known on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as PIDOMNigeria, with nine counts, including inciting the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests and leaking classified documents.
Mr. Bristol, a well-known whistleblower, is accused of mobilizing support for the protests, which were organized to highlight the nation’s systemic issues and demand significant changes. The charges against him were revealed in a court document obtained by newsmen on Monday, detailing the allegations.
The case, filed on September 2, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is between the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as the complainant, and Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri as the defendant. The charges were brought forward by Simon Lough (SAN), who led a team of police lawyers on behalf of the Inspector General.
Among the accusations, Mr. Bristol is charged with transmitting a classified document from the Federal Government, concealing money received through cryptocurrency, and destroying evidence by attempting to flush his mobile phone down a toilet during his arrest.
One of the charges reads: "COUNT 1: That you, Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, 'M' (41 yrs) of No. 36 Hardy Avenue, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, sometime between 2023 and August 2024, accessed a computer network using your X handle @Pidomnigeria with username #99%oppressed for the purpose of mobilizing and soliciting 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, thereby committing an offence punishable under S.18 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024."
Other charges detail how Mr. Bristol allegedly obtained, reproduced, and transmitted classified government memos via his social media account, in violation of the Official Secrets Act of 1962. He is also accused of money laundering, involving both cryptocurrency and fiat currency donations made through his social media and GoFundMe accounts.
In addition, Mr. Bristol is charged with destroying his mobile phone, a Techno Phantom X 2021 model, in an attempt to prevent it from being used as evidence against him, which is a violation of the Criminal Code Act CAP 38 Laws of the Federation 2004.
Mr. Bristol was arrested on August 5, 2024, by officials from the National Cybercrime Centre on suspicion of cyber-related offences. According to sources, he has since been held in solitary confinement at Force headquarters, where his health condition has reportedly deteriorated due to untreated injuries.
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