Nigerian whistleblower Isaac Bristol, popularly known as PIDOM, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was arraigned on Friday, September 27, on a nine-count charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite granted PIDOM bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum. The judge also ordered the accused to surrender his international passport to the court. As part of the bail conditions, the surety must be resident in Abuja, depose an affidavit of means, and provide evidence of three years of tax clearance along with two passport photographs.
PIDOM was arrested on August 5, 2024, in his hotel room in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. His arrest was confirmed in a statement by police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi on August 24. According to Adejobi, PIDOM was taken into custody due to accusations of “committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations.”
The arrest generated significant concern among the Nigerian online community, leading to a viral campaign on social media platform X, with users rallying support using hashtags such as #FreePIDOM, #PIDOM, and #WhereisPIDOM.
Earlier in September, PIDOM was arraigned on charges of money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining, and disseminating classified official secret documents. He was subsequently remanded to Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Whistleblowers in Nigeria often face threats from the state, despite the country’s ongoing battle with rampant corruption. Anti-corruption advocates have repeatedly appealed to the Nigerian government to sign the whistleblower protection bill into law, but their calls have remained unheeded.
The case has been adjourned until November 15 for trial.