Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to social critic Chidebere Justice, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like amount over alleged cybercrime charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The ruling was delivered on Monday, after the Federal Government commenced trial by presenting its first witness in the case.
Proceedings on the bail application had earlier been delayed last Thursday following disagreements between two lawyers who both claimed authority to represent the defendant through the Crack Insecurity Solutions Forum.
During Monday’s session, the prosecution called DSS operative Uruntu Douglas, who informed the court that he obtained an extrajudicial statement from the defendant after he was transferred from the custody of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Defence Corps to the DSS.
According to the witness, Justice Crack voluntarily made his statement, while forensic extraction from his mobile phone revealed images and materials allegedly sent to him by soldiers complaining about their welfare conditions.
The witness added that the defendant later shared the materials on his Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and TikTok platforms. Copies of the social media pages were tendered and admitted in evidence by the court.
The DSS, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026, accused the blogger of cybercrime-related offences connected to a viral video concerning the Nigerian Army.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant circulated false information and published materials capable of inciting public unrest.
