The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 27 as the date for its ruling on the bail application of Isaac Tamunobifiri Bristol, a journalist accused of leaking classified government documents, who is also known as PIDOM.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the decision on the bail request after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution teams.
Bristol, who has been detained for several weeks, was arraigned on September 3 on a nine-count charge that includes unlawful obtaining and distribution of classified government documents, money laundering, cybercrimes, and destruction of evidence. The charges were brought against him by the Federal Government.
The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/456/2024, also accuses PIDOM of disseminating documents alleging that N24.1 billion was released by President Tinubu to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office, a figure he later claimed had increased to N90 billion.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Bristol’s attorney, Deji Adeyanju, urged the court to grant bail to his client, noting that an administrative bail had already been approved and was in the process of being formalized when Bristol was arraigned.
However, the prosecution, represented by Simon Lough, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the bail application. Lough argued that Bristol, a journalist known for leaking classified information, poses a risk given his alleged criminal history. He contended that the seriousness of the charges warranted denying bail.
In response, Adeyanju refuted the claim that Bristol has a criminal record and argued that his client’s status as a journalist should not be grounds for denying bail. He also criticized the prosecution for presuming Bristol’s guilt in their suit, which he argued violates the principle of presumption of innocence. He requested the court to remove references to guilt in paragraphs 4 and 8 of the prosecution’s filing.
After hearing from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the proceedings and scheduled the ruling on the bail application for September 27.
