All charges against putative whistleblower Isaac Bristol are related to illegal access to and publication of confidential federal government materials. Bristol was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On Friday, September 27, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite issued the decision in response to Bristol’s request for bail in a lawsuit brought by the Nigeria Police Force.
The Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced his arrest, alleging he “committed serious offenses that undermine the integrity of government operations.”
Facts of the Case
On September 3, 2024, Bristol was charged with violating applicable money laundering and cybercrime laws, as well as for allegedly accessing and disseminating secret government documents without authorization and deleting evidence.
Simon Lough, SAN, the police counsel, argued that the defendant had circulated documents claiming that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office was the channel through which President Tinubu released N24.1 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). He was charged with subsequently asserting that N90 billion had been added to the fund.
The accused refuted the claims.
Deji Adeyanju, Bristol’s attorney, then requested generous bail, arguing that his client is presumed innocent unless and until the court finds them guilty.
Lough objected to the bail request, stating that bail was not necessary given the seriousness of the crime.
He was concerned that there was a good chance the accused would avoid going to trial.
What the Judge Said
In denying the motion, Justice Nwite ruled that bail is a constitutional right unless there is a good faith suspicion that the accused would try to avoid prosecution or obliterate evidence.
He pointed out that every aspect needs to be taken into account when setting bail, particularly when criminal law offers protections for both the prosecution and the defense.
In the interest of fairness, the judge decided to grant the prisoner bail based on the arguments made by his legal representation.
The defendant was then given N5 million bail, subject to a few restrictions, by him.
He ordered Bristol to produce one guarantor in an equivalent amount who had to be a reasonable citizen whose address and tax clearance certificate the court could validate.
Additionally, he mandated that the defendant give the court a copy of his foreign passport.
Nwite threatened to cancel the defendant’s bail if he did not follow the rules.
According to the judge, the defendant will be remanded in the custody of the correctional service until his bail is fully executed.
He scheduled the trial for November 5, 2024.
In his Rivers State hotel room on August 5, 2024, the whistleblower was taken into custody by the authorities.
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