David Hundeyin made some distasteful statements regarding the incarcerated investigative journalist, PIDOM.
He wrote :
“I spoke to @PIDOMNIGERIA on the phone after his arraignment earlier today. He informed me that the police made 2 attempts to poison him last week, at least one of which was visibly successful.
Exclusive to @WestAfricaWeek
The oral bail application of Isaac Tamunoibifiri Bristol, accused by the Nigeria Police Force of being the prominent anonymous online whistleblower PIDOM Nigeria, was not heard today at the Federal High Court Abuja, by Justice Emeka Nwite.
Bristol’s lawyer Deji Adeyanju, is working on tendering a written bail application which has a statutory seven-day response period. In the interim, Bristol has been remanded for a minimum of 7 days at Kuje prison.
Shortly after his court appearance, Bristol exclusively disclosed to West Africa Weekly over the phone that last week, the Deputy Director (DCP) of the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) personally visited his cell and sprayed something there. Since then, he said, he has felt very sick and has been experiencing difficulty in breathing.
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While speaking to West Africa Weekly, this difficulty in breathing was noticed in his voice, alongside constant wheezing and coughing. He further revealed that an unsuccessful attempt was also made to inject him with an unidentified substance while he was with the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
The use of aerosolised chemical substances and injected poisons are staple assassination methods historically favoured by Nigerian security and intelligence agencies for eliminating high profile political prisoners.
In the wake of Bristol’s claims, there are concerns that his health may have already been terminally compromised by the police prior to his arraignment and subsequent transfer to Kuje prison.
West Africa Weekly will keep monitoring the state of Bristol’s health and providing updates as they become available.