RismadarVoice Reporters, May 14, 2026
The bail application filed by detained social media influencer, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” suffered a setback on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a disagreement among his lawyers over legal representation.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier fixed May 14 for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a three-count charge and pleaded not guilty.
The court had adjourned the matter after the defendant’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, requested that his client be granted bail pending trial.
Justice Crack is being prosecuted in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026 over alleged cybercrime offences linked to a viral video concerning the Nigerian Army.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly circulated false information capable of causing public unrest through posts made on his X handle, @JusticeCrack, where he reportedly accused the Nigerian Army of inadequate welfare and feeding of soldiers.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Leyii Abueh, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation had taken over the prosecution from the DSS in line with provisions of the law.
However, confusion arose when two lawyers, Femi Balogun and Marshall Abubakar, separately announced appearances for the defendant.
Balogun told the court he had been briefed by the defendant’s family to take over the matter and sought to rely on the existing bail application already before the court.
Abubakar, however, objected, insisting he remained the defendant’s legal representative and had not been formally disengaged from the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently asked the defendant to identify his counsel, and Justice Crack pointed to Balogun.
Following the development, Abubakar applied to withdraw all legal processes he had filed in the matter, including the bail application.
The court consequently struck out the applications filed by Abubakar and adjourned the case until May 18 for the hearing of a fresh bail application.
