The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million to activist and social media commentator Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack.”
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on the bail application, ordering that the defendant must provide one surety in like sum as part of the conditions for his release.
The court directed that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction for at least four years and provide proof of residence through a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy.
The judge further ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary, an authentication letter from a departmental head, and proof of pensionable employment.
Additional conditions include the submission of an affidavit of means and a recent passport photograph by the surety, while the defendant is required to deposit his international passport with the court.
The ruling came as trial proceedings commenced following earlier submissions by the prosecution counsel.
A witness identified as Uruntu Douglas, a Department of State Services operative, testified that the defendant was investigated after being transferred from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps.
Douglas told the court that the defendant allegedly made extra-judicial statements in the presence of his lawyers and was linked to the creation and online publication of videos derived from military images.
He further alleged that digital evidence extracted from the defendant’s mobile phone included videos posted online, chats with military personnel, and communications referencing planned protests.
The prosecution tendered several items in evidence, including an investigation report, an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, and a flash drive containing social media content and extracted communications.
A certificate of compliance was also submitted, which the witness said was issued after forensic analysis was completed and verified by a superior officer.
The defence counsel, Sam Amadi, objected to parts of the digital evidence, arguing that the contents of the flash drive had not been properly presented or demonstrated in court.
The prosecution acknowledged procedural lapses in serving documents to the defence, describing it as an oversight and apologising before the court.
The court subsequently admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A and adjourned the matter to May 25 for continuation of trial.
The case remains ongoing, with the prosecution yet to conclude examination of its first witness.
