Investigative journalist David Hundeyin has responded to being labeled an accomplice in the trial of whistleblower Isaac Tamunobifiri, also known as PIDOM. In an interview with News Central Television, Hundeyin attributed the accusation to his outspoken journalism and alleged attempts by the Nigerian government to discredit him.
Hundeyin claimed that the Nigerian authorities sought to involve him in the criminal investigation against PIDOM to undermine his international refugee status and possibly place him on an Interpol notice list. He also described multiple attempts by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in 2023 to abduct him from Ghana and Kenya before he relocated to the United Kingdom for safety.
“There were several attempts by the NIA to abduct me and render me stateless. I had to move from Ghana to Kenya, and then to the UK when they came for me there,” Hundeyin said. “This is the price you pay for speaking the truth, especially in a regime that views truth-telling as a threat.”
Hundeyin noted that he anticipated being declared an accomplice and had prepared accordingly. He mentioned incidents where attempts to hack his devices suggested a state security effort to implicate him in criminal activities, thus discrediting him and other whistleblowers.
Regarding PIDOM, Hundeyin alleged that the whistleblower had been exposed to a toxic substance in detention, leading to severe breathing difficulties. PIDOM faces accusations of leaking classified documents, fraud, sedition, and tax evasion.
The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that PIDOM’s arrest followed a petition from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Adejobi added that PIDOM resisted arrest, destroyed his phone, and flushed it down the toilet when National Cybercrime Centre operatives arrived.
PIDOM is currently held at Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja.