The Nigeria Police Force has accused journalist David Hundeyin and another individual, Michael Temidayo Alade, of being accomplices to Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, also known as PIDOM.
According to the police, PIDOM, who allegedly operates under the X handle @pidomnigeria, is involved in a case concerning criminal conspiracy, sedition, and the unauthorized 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 read, “The principal suspect, Bristol Isaac Tamunobifiri, was apprehended by NPF-NCCC detectives at a hotel in Port Harcourt on Saturday, August 5, 2024. During the arrest, he resisted by locking himself in a hotel room, smashing his phone, and flushing it down the toilet to destroy evidence.
“He also refused to provide his phone’s password, claiming he had forgotten it, thereby concealing critical information. Subsequent investigations revealed several suspicious activities between the principal suspect and his accomplices.
“Further investigations established that the suspect leaked a sensitive restricted document originating from the office of the President to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation. Additionally, he unlawfully accessed police-restricted data, posting directives from the Inspector-General of Police’s office and other classified 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.”
Earlier, the police arraigned Bristol on charges of money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining, and disseminating classified official secret documents.
Bristol, facing nine counts before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to September 23, 2024, for a ruling on the bail application filed on behalf of the defendant and ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre.