Police declare investigative journalist Hundeyin wanted in connection with PIDOM
The Nigerian Police have declared award-winning investigative journalist David Hundeyin wanted in connection with the prosecution of Isaac Bristol, who is alleged to be the prominent anonymous online whistleblower known as PIDOM Nigeria.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The case revolves around Isaac Bristol, who was arraigned on September 3, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja and remanded to Kuje prison for at least seven days. Bristol, who was arrested in August, faces a slew of charges, including leaking classified documents, fraud, sedition, and tax evasion.
According to Adejobi, the police apprehended Bristol after receiving a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The arrest took place at a hotel where Bristol reportedly resisted, destroyed his phone, and attempted to flush it down the toilet to prevent evidence from being recovered.
In the latest developments, the police have named Hundeyin and one Michael Temidayo Alade as alleged accomplices of PIDOM Nigeria. While Hundeyin is now wanted by the authorities, Alade has been identified as a police witness expected to testify against Bristol in court.
Hundeyin, who is known for his investigative work exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to claim that he has been declared wanted by the police, stating that his only “crime” is journalism.
The declaration against Hundeyin has sparked concerns among media professionals and human rights activists, who view it as a potential crackdown on press freedom in Nigeria. Hundeyin’s work has received multiple awards for its impact in revealing systemic corruption and abuses within the Nigerian government.
