BREAKING: Court remands Isaac Bristol, whistleblower behind PIDOM Nigeria to Kuje Prison

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of Isaac Bristol, a Nigerian whistleblower believed to be the force behind the prominent “PIDOM Nigeria” account, at Kuje Correctional Centre until September 23.

Isaac, who appeared in court around 12:30 p.m., pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge of cybercrime-related offenses brought against him by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). The charges include mobilizing support for the #EndBadGovernance protest, making false money-laundering allegations against President Bola Tinubu, and unlawfully obtaining and disseminating classified documents in violation of the Official Secrets Act of 1962.

During the hearing, Isaac’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, requested that Deji Adeyanju continue with the case. Adeyanju appealed for bail on health grounds, but the judge rejected the oral application, instructing him to submit a formal written request instead. Additionally, Adeyanju’s plea to have Isaac remanded in police custody due to his health concerns was also denied.

Justice Nwite ordered Isaac’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre until the hearing of his bail application on September 23. Despite visibly struggling with severe coughing in court, Isaac had already spent 28 days in the underground cell at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja before this court appearance.