By Danjuma Amodu
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted ₦5 million bail to social media commentator Justice Chidiebere, known online as “Justice Crack,” who is facing charges related to cybercrime and the alleged dissemination of military-related content on social media.
The bail was secured by the defendant’s new counsel, Sam Amadi, who also commended the treatment of his client while in the custody of the Department of State Services.
Trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the bail application with stringent conditions and adjourned the matter until May 25 for continuation of trial.
Under the conditions outlined by the court, the defendant must provide one surety in like sum who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction at a verifiable address for at least four years.
The court further directed that the surety must submit proof of residence through either a tenancy agreement or Certificate of Occupancy to the court registry.
In addition, the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, provide evidence of at least three months’ salary payments, present authentication from the immediate head of department, and show proof of pensionable employment.
The surety is also expected to depose to an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph.
Justice Abdulmalik further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court pending the determination of the case.
Earlier during proceedings, prosecution counsel, M. L. Aboye, informed the court that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with trial and subsequently called its first witness, identified as Oronto Douglas, a DSS operative.
Testifying before the court, the witness said he became involved in the matter during investigations after his transfer from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the DSS.
According to the witness, the defendant voluntarily made an extra-judicial statement in the presence of legal aid lawyers.
The DSS operative alleged that some soldiers had sent photographs to the defendant, who then allegedly converted the images into videos and published them online without first verifying their authenticity with military authorities.
The witness further told the court that investigators carried out a forensic examination of the defendant’s mobile phone and extracted several materials allegedly linked to the case.
The materials, according to him, included videos purportedly uploaded to social media platforms, conversations between the defendant and some soldiers, chats involving discussions about protests with an individual described as his “godfather,” as well as extracts from the defendant’s social media accounts.
He added that a certificate of compliance was issued and signed by a superior officer after completion of the forensic analysis.
However, during proceedings, defence counsel Sam Amadi informed the court that the defence team had not been served with the investigation report and other documentary evidence the prosecution intended to tender.
Responding, the prosecution described the omission as an oversight and apologised to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A.
The prosecution also tendered an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, a flash drive said to contain videos posted online, extracted conversations from the device, and the accompanying certificate of compliance.
The defence, however, objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents had neither been properly described nor played in open court for verification and evaluation.
The objection is expected to form part of issues for determination as the trial progresses.
The case has continued to generate attention within legal and civil society circles amid growing debates over cybercrime prosecutions, digital expression, and the use of online platforms for political and security-related commentary in Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, counsel previously associated with the matter, including lawyer to activist Omoyele Sowore, Marshall Abubakar, was absent during the court proceedings.
