The Nigerian government is set to arraign Isaac Bristol, a whistleblower who operates under the alias ‘PIDOMNigeria,’ on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has taken Bristol from his cell for his upcoming court appearance.
Bristol is scheduled to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite, the same judge who remanded 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters in custody earlier this week. Reports indicate that on Tuesday morning, Bristol was preparing to join police officers who arrived at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCID) to escort him to court.
The arraignment is based on nine charges, which were detailed on Monday night. According to reports, the government plans to call four witnesses in the case against Bristol, who is accused of leaking classified documents on social media.
SaharaReporters disclosed that the witnesses, who have been identified, will present evidence from their investigation, submit exhibits, and share their findings in court. The witnesses include David Attah from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Special Services Office, located at Shehu Shagari Complex in Abuja; Michael Temidayo Alade from Alhaji Kareem Iseri Olawora, Berger, Lagos; Inspector Achaneze Ojomugbo from Mini Okoro Police Station, Port Harcourt; and Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, along with his team from the Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
A document dated September 2, 2024, obtained by SaharaReporters, indicates that the prosecution intends to rely on exhibits and witness testimonies in Bristol’s trial. Earlier reports revealed that the police have filed a nine-count charge against Bristol, accusing him of illegally mobilizing support for recent nationwide hunger protests.
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