Court grants Justice Crack N5m bail

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 amount.

Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik outlined conditions for the bail, stating that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction at a verifiable address for at least four years and provide proof of residence, either through a tenancy agreement or a certificate of occupancy.

The court also held that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary, a letter of authentication from their head of department, and proof of pensionable employment.

In addition, the surety is required to depose to an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph. The defendant was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the court.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026, arose from Chidiebere’s arrest by the Nigerian Army in late April after he posted viral videos criticising feeding conditions of soldiers deployed to conflict zones.

He was later 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 prosecution was subsequently taken over by the Attorney General of the Federation.

The ruling followed weeks of legal disputes, including a disagreement between members of his legal team over representation, which led to the withdrawal of an earlier bail application and a delay in proceedings.

Chidiebere’s arrest had sparked reactions from rights groups and activists, who alleged torture and enforced disappearance—claims the Nigerian Army denied, insisting his detention was linked to alleged incitement and actions capable of undermining military discipline and national security.