Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of self-proclaimed whistleblower, Isaac Tamunobifiri, also known as PIDOM, at Kuje Correctional Facility. PIDOM was arraigned on Tuesday on a nine-count charge brought against him by the Inspector General of Police, including allegations of money laundering, cybercrime, and the dissemination of classified government documents.
According to the charges, PIDOM allegedly used his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @Pidomnigeria, to mobilize public support for the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement and to spread false information, including claims of financial misconduct involving President Bola Tinubu and other government officials. The police also accused PIDOM of tampering with evidence by destroying his mobile phone during his arrest at a hotel in Port Harcourt.
PIDOM pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense counsel, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, which the prosecution opposed. The judge adjourned the case to September 23 for a ruling on the bail application and ordered PIDOM’s remand in Kuje prison until then.
The charges against PIDOM also include unlawfully obtaining and distributing classified government documents, in violation of the Official Secrets Act. The police investigation has linked investigative journalist David Hundeyin and Michael Alade as accomplices in the alleged crimes.
Speaking to the press, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed PIDOM’s arrest following a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Adejobi emphasized that the arrest was necessary to protect national security and public order. He noted that the police are likely pursuing further actions against Hundeyin and Alade, who have been identified as involved in the case.
The case has sparked significant attention, with Hundeyin previously raising concerns on social media about PIDOM’s sudden disappearance.
