Court Grants N5m Bail to Social Media Commentator Facing Alleged Cybercrime Charges

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N50 million to activist and social‑media commentator Mr Justice Chidiebere Mark, better known as “Justice Crack,” who is on trial for alleged cybercrime.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who approved the bail, ordered that a surety of the same amount be provided.

The defendant was recently arraigned on three counts for allegedly making a false claim that Nigerian military personnel are poorly fed.

He is accused of posting a viral video on his X handle (Justice crack) in which he allegedly asserted that the military is under‑fed.

Although he pleaded not guilty, the court remanded him in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.

As part of the bail conditions, the court required the surety to have resided within the court’s jurisdiction at a fixed address for at least four years and to provide proof of residence—either a tenancy agreement or a certificate of occupancy—at the court registry.

The surety must also be a federal civil servant not below grade level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary, a letter of authentication from the immediate head of department, and proof of pensionable employment.

Additionally, the court directed that the surety submit an affidavit of means and a recent passport photograph, while the defendant must deposit his international passport with the court.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel informed the court that the prosecution was ready to commence trial.

The first prosecution witness, identified as Uruntu Douglas, a DSS operative, told the court that he became acquainted with the defendant during investigations after the defendant was transferred to the DSS by the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps.

Witness Douglas said the defendant voluntarily made an extra‑judicial statement that was recorded in the presence of his lawyers.

According to the witness, soldiers had sent pictures to the defendant, who allegedly made videos from the images and posted them on social media without confirming their authenticity from military sources.

He further told the court that investigators extracted data from the defendant’s phone, including videos allegedly posted online, conversations between the defendant and some soldiers, chats with his godfather allegedly discussing protests, and excerpts from his social media pages.

The witness added that a certificate of compliance was issued and signed by a superior officer after the forensic process was concluded.

During proceedings, defence counsel Sam Amadi informed the court that the defence had not been served with the investigation report and other documents the prosecution intended to tender.

The prosecution described the failure as an oversight and apologized before the court.

Justice Joyce 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 on social media platforms, conversations extracted from the device, and the certificate of compliance.

The defence objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents had not been described or played before the court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 25 for continuation of the trial.