Isaac Bristol, who has been detained since August 5 by the Nigeria Police Force on suspicion of being the anonymous whistleblower, PIDOMNigeria, is set to be moved to an underground detention facility run by the Office of the National Security Adviser, after being denied access to his family, friends and legal team.
On Saturday, Deji Adeyanju, a member of his legal team, was denied access based on a “new directive” from the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC). This violation has greatly impacted his access to food, toiletries and communication with his family and legal team.
An anonymous source familiar with the case reliably told West Africa Weekly that there are plans to transfer PIDOM in the dead of night to a dark site following public outrage about his abduction and subsequent torture and illegal detention, further making him inaccessible.
The source said, “If he survives this transfer, he may be held incommunicado to his relative and legal representatives,” clearly violating his rights. According to him, PIDOM will be charged with working against national security by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) while labelling him a “kidnapper”.
Following his abduction by 15 heavily armed men wearing mufti, PIDOM was reportedly handcuffed and kept in solitary confinement for six days without food at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, a gross violation of his fundamental rights and the worst torture anyone can face.
Nigerians have called for the immediate, unconditional release of PIDOM and other 2,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters detained for protesting hunger in the current administration.
“There is no case against Isaac Bristol Tamunobiefiri, and he must be released from the dungeon of the FCID with immediate speed. PIDOM and the 2000 #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and DSS custody have committed no offence and must, therefore, be released unconditionally.”
Read More:
- Updated: Police Clash with Arbaeen Mourners in Abuja, 4 Reported Dead
- Telegram Founder Arrested at Airport in France
- Security Forces Arrest 18 Gunmen Linked to Notorious Bandit Bello Turji in Sokoto