Court Grants Justice Crack N5m Bail in Cybercrime Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to social media activist Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the sum of N5 million, with one surety in like sum.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, delivering her ruling on Monday, set out stringent conditions attached to the bail. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction at a fixed address for a minimum of four years and must present valid proof of residence, either through a tenancy agreement or a certificate of occupancy.
The court further stipulated that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months of salary payments, a letter of authentication from the immediate head of department, and proof of pensionable employment. The surety is also required to depose to an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph. The defendant himself is to deposit his international passport with the court.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026, traces its roots to late April when the Nigerian Army arrested Justice Crack following his posting of viral videos criticising the feeding conditions of soldiers deployed to conflict zones in the country.
He was subsequently arraigned by the Department of State Services on a three count charge bordering on cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Attorney General of the Federation later assumed prosecution of the matter from the DSS.
The bail ruling came after weeks of legal complications, including repeated delays in bail proceedings and a dispute among members of his legal team over representation, which ultimately forced the withdrawal of an earlier bail application.
His arrest drew swift and widespread condemnation from human rights organisations and civil society activists, many of whom alleged that the activist was subjected to torture and enforced disappearance during his detention. The Nigerian Army denied those allegations, maintaining that the arrest was connected to alleged incitement and conduct it considered capable of undermining military discipline and national security.
The case has attracted significant public attention, raising questions about the boundaries of online expression, freedom of speech, and the treatment of civilian critics of the military in Nigeria.