NIGERIAN whistleblower, Isaac Bristol, also known as PIDOM, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He was arraigned on Friday, September 27, on a nine-count charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

In his ruling, Emeka Nwite, the court’s judge, granted PIDOM ₦5 million bail with one surety in like sum. He also ordered the accused to drop his international passport with the court.

Part of his bail conditions include that the surety must be resident in Abuja and depose an affidavit of means. Also, the surety must provide evidence of three years of tax clearance with two passport photographs.

The ICIR reports that PIDOM was arrested on August 5, 2024, in his hotel room in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

His arrest was confirmed in a statement by the police public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on August 24.

According to Adejobi, PIDOM was taken into custody due to accusations of “committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations.”

His arrest however generated concerns among the Nigerian online community, leading to a viral campaign on X with users using hashtags such as #FreePIDOM, #PIDOM, #WhereisPIDOM, among others.

Earlier in September, he was arraigned for money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining, and disseminating classified official secret documents after which he was sent to Kuje Prison, Abuja.

The ICIR reports that whistleblowers often face state threats in Nigeria, despite rampant corruption in the country.

Anti-corruption advocates have severally appealed to the Nigerian government to sign the whistleblower protection bill into law. The government has failed to heed the calls.