The Nigeria Police Force has charged journalist David Hundeyin and another individual, Michael Temidayo Alade as accomplices to Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, also known as PIDOMNigeria.
According to the police, PIDOMNigeria, who allegedly operates under the X handle @pidomnigeria, is involved in a case of criminal conspiracy, sedition, and the unauthorised distribution of classified documents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, it was revealed that a discreet investigation aimed at uncovering the source of a leaked restricted document on a sensitive national security issue led to the identification of these three individuals as suspects.
The statement said, “On Saturday, August 5, 2024, NPF-NCCC investigators apprehended the prime suspect, Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, at a hotel in Port Harcourt. During his arrest, he resisted by locking himself in a hotel room, shattering his phone, and flushing it down the toilet to erase evidence.
“He also declined to reveal his phone’s password, stating that he had forgotten it, thereby concealing important information. Subsequent investigations turned up various questionable acts involving the main suspect and his associates.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect leaked a sensitive restricted document from the President’s office to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.” Furthermore, he illegally accessed police-restricted material, uploading directions from the Inspector-General of Police’s office and other confidential documents with the intent to compromise Nigeria’s security network.
“It was also confirmed that the suspect raised funds through anonymous channels to support cyberterrorism and related crimes, as evidenced by a forensic analysis of his crypto wallet transactions.”
The police had previously charged Bristol with money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, holding, and spreading sensitive official secret materials.
Bristol, who was facing nine counts before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
Following his plea, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to September 23, 2024, to rule on the defendant’s bail application and ordered his confinement to Kuje Correctional Centre.