The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed Sept 27 for ruling on the bail application of an alleged leak Journalist, Isaac Tamunobifiri Bristol, also known as PIDOM.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned for ruling on the bail application after listening to arguments from lawyers to both parties.
Bristol, who has been in detention for weeks, was finally arraigned on September 3 on a nine-count of unlawful obtaining and distribution of government classified documents, money laundering, Cybercrimes and destruction of evidence, brought against him by the Federal Government.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024, PIDOM was also accused of sharing documents claiming that Tinubu released N24.1bn to NAHCON Chairman through Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office, which he claimed later increased to N90bn.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Bristol’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, informed the court of his bail application dated September 3 and filed on September 4, urging the court to grant his application.
He told the court that his client was already granted administrative bail which he was processing before he was arraigned.
However, police prosecution, Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the bail application, saying that Bristol is a Journalist who specializes in leaking classified government documents, adding that he has a previous criminal record.
He urged the court not grant the bail application considering the weight of the charges leveled against him.
Deji refuted claims by the police counsel that his client is a journalist and said being a journalist is still not a ground to deny someone bail.
The lawyer said his client is not who the prosecution thinks he is, adding that proof of evidence by the prosecution does not support the charges levelled against him.
He asked the Court to expunge paragraph 4 and 8 of the prosecution’s suit, where they declared the defendant guilty as they had taken away the presumption of innocence which the defendant is entitled.
The lawyer said that contrary to the prosecution’s claim, Bristol has no prior criminal record and prayed the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
Justice Nwite, after taking arguments by the lawyers, adjourned till September 27 for ruling.