FG to Call Four Witnesses In Trial Of Whistleblower Isaac Bristol ‘PIDOMNigeria’ Over #EndBadGovernance Protests, Document Leak Case
SaharaReporters can exclusively report that these witnesses will provide evidence from their investigation, tender exhibits, and reveal their findings to the court.
The Nigerian government, through the Legal/Prosecution Section of the Force Headquarters, is set to present four witnesses in its case against Isaac Bristol, identified as a whistleblower by the name – PIDOMNigeria, for allegedly exposing classified documents on social media.
SaharaReporters can exclusively report that these witnesses will provide evidence from their investigation, tender exhibits, and reveal their findings to the court.
The witnesses are David Attah from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Special Services Office, Shehu Shagari Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja; Michael Temidayo Alade from Alh. Kareem Iseri Olawora, Berger, Lagos; Insp. Achaneze Ojomugbo from Mini Okoro Police Station, Port Harcourt; and ACP Bashir Abdullahi and team from the Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC).
According to a document obtained by SaharaReporters dated September 2, 2024, in the trial of Bristol, the defendant, the prosecution will rely on some exhibits and the testimonies of these witnesses.
SaharaReporters earlier on Monday reported that the police had levied a nine-count charge against Mr. Bristol, alleging that he illegally mobilised support for the recent nationwide hunger protests.
These protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, were held to bring attention to the pervasive issues plaguing the nation and advocate for systemic change.
SaharaReporters obtained a copy of the court document outlining the nine counts on Monday, shedding light on the specifics of the allegations levelled against Mr. Bristol.
The charges were filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division on September 2, 2024 by Simon Lough (SAN), leading other lawyers.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun is the complainant against Bristol, a 41-year-old male.
David Attah, the first witness, is the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
He is the complainant who lodged the petition on behalf of the Federal Government and will testify about the “embarrassment the Federal Government suffered due to the defendant’s actions”.
Michael Temidayo Alade, the second witness, is a cryptocurrency trader who “assisted the defendant in converting funds obtained from the public into Naira and transferring them to the defendant’s account”.
He will testify about how he allegedly helped the defendant hide the source of his funds in “furthering criminal activities”.
Insp. Achaneze Ojomugbo, the third witness, is a police officer attached to the Rivers State Command and one of those who arrested the defendant.
He will testify about the “destruction of evidence by the defendant and their findings”.
ACP Bashir Abdullahi and his team, the fourth witnesses, investigated the case and will provide testimony regarding their findings.
According to the document, the prosecution team will rely on the following exhibits to prove their case: the petition of the nominal complainant, statements of witnesses, statement of the defendant, computer-generated evidence, pictorial evidence, computer printouts, SIM cards, gadgets, bank documents, bank statements of account, and correspondences from federal government offices and with network service providers.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Bristol was arrested on August 5, 2024, by officials from the National Cybercrime Centre for suspected cyber-related offences.
The police had stated that they were conducting a thorough investigation into several allegations against him.
However, sources told SaharaReporters last Friday that Bristol had been subjected to inhuman treatment and was being held in solitary confinement at the Force headquarters.
According to the sources, his health condition has worsened due to untreated injuries.
One source said: “To be honest and candid with you, Isaac’s health condition has worsened; the injuries on his body are festering.
“He has been neglected by his assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and denied hospital visit by the CP (Uche) despite being scheduled for it repeatedly,” the source lamented, adding that “he looks very sick, bony, and weak.”
The source further noted that Isaac Bristol had been completely isolated from other ‘prisoners’, adding that “fellow inmates have been instructed by the police authorities not to communicate with him or help him in any way.”
“His IPO has neglected his duty, and Isaac may as well be on the verge of death,” the source decried, calling on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Nigerian police not to kill Isaac Bristol.
