Court Grants ‘Justice Crack’ N5m Bail in Alleged Cybercrime Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to activist and social media commentator, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” over alleged cybercrime-related offences.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.

In her ruling, the judge ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court at a fixed address for at least four years and provide proof of residence through either a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy.

The court further ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must provide evidence of at least three months’ salary payments, proof of pensionable employment and a letter of authentication from the immediate head of department.

Justice Abdulmalik also directed the surety to deposit his passport with the court registry as part of the bail conditions.

During proceedings, the first prosecution witness, identified as Uruntu Douglas, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, told the court that he became involved in the case after being transferred from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the DSS.

The witness stated that the defendant voluntarily made an extrajudicial statement in the presence of his lawyers during the course of investigation.

According to the DSS operative, some soldiers allegedly sent pictures to the defendant, who then reportedly created videos from the materials and published them on social media without verifying their authenticity with military authorities.

The witness further told the court that forensic investigators extracted data from the defendant’s mobile phone, including videos allegedly uploaded online, conversations between the defendant and some soldiers, chats relating to alleged protest discussions, and excerpts from his social media platforms.

He added that a certificate of compliance was issued and signed by a superior officer following the completion of the forensic examination.

Defence counsel, Sam Amadi, however, informed the court that the defence had not been served with the investigation report and other documents the prosecution sought to tender.

The prosecution described the omission as an oversight and apologised before 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 and the certificate of compliance.

The defence objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents had neither been properly described nor played before the court.

The matter was adjourned until May 25 for continuation of trial, while the first prosecution witness remains under examination.