Nigerian social media Influencer, Chidiebere Justice Mark, also known as Justice Crack
Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to activist and social media commentator, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” in the sum of ₦5 million.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the bail condition must be supported by one surety who resides within the court’s jurisdiction and has maintained a fixed address for at least four years.
The court also directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with proof of salary, pensionable employment, and an authentication letter from the head of department.
In addition, the surety is expected to submit an affidavit of means, a recent passport photograph, and proof of residence, while the defendant must surrender his international passport to the court registry.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel informed the court that the government was ready to proceed with trial.
The first prosecution witness, DSS operative Uruntu Douglas, told the court that he became involved in the investigation after his transfer from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the Department of State Services.
According to the witness, the defendant voluntarily made an extra-judicial statement in the presence of his lawyers during interrogation.
Douglas further alleged that some soldiers forwarded photographs to the activist, who then created videos from the materials and uploaded them on social media without verifying their authenticity with military authorities.
The witness also told the court that forensic investigators extracted videos, chats with soldiers, conversations allegedly linked to planned protests, and other social media materials from the defendant’s phone, after which a certificate of compliance was issued.
Although the defence counsel, Sam Amadi, protested that some investigation documents had not been served on the defence team, the court admitted the DSS report as Exhibit A and adjourned the matter until May 25 for continuation of trial.
