Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tension exploded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday morning as youths confronted armed operatives of the Department of State Services demanding the immediate release of a detained social media influencer who had just been arraigned on charges bordering on alleged incitement . The courtroom drama unfolded when security agents attempted to whisk the activist away following his arraignment, only to be met by a human blockade of angry protesters who formed a wall around the operatives, chanting "Free Justice Crack" and calling on Nigerians to join them at the Ministry of Justice . According to reports gathered by Stone Reporters News, the activist, widely known as Justice Crack, had been taken into custody by the Nigerian Army days earlier before being handed over to civil authorities. His wife had earlier raised an alarm after losing contact with him for several days, describing the situation as highly unusual .
The charges stem from a viral video posted on his social media handle in which he allegedly made claims about the feeding and welfare conditions of military personnel . In court on Monday, he was arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the Department of State Services and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him . Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel sought a date for the commencement of trial and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody . The defence counsel made an oral application for bail, but the presiding judge declined to consider it, directing instead that a formal bail application be filed . In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the defendant be remanded and adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial and the hearing of any bail application .
The confrontation outside the court caused a brief disruption as security operatives attempted to escort the influencer out after proceedings . The youths, many of whom had gathered spontaneously, repeatedly chanted "Free Justice Crack" and demanded his immediate release, describing his continued detention as unjust . Some of the demonstrators called on Nigerians in Abuja to join them at the Ministry of Justice, with one protester heard shouting, "They said Justice's next court date is May 26, which means he will remain there for one month. Please help us and come out if you're in Abuja" . Among those present at the protest were activists and influencers who joined the crowd in demanding the activist's release .
The case began days earlier when the Nigerian Army confirmed it had taken the influencer into custody following public outcry over his whereabouts. According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the social media influencer came under scrutiny after sharing posts highlighting complaints by soldiers over feeding and welfare . However, the Army claimed that further findings suggested his engagement went beyond advocacy. "A preliminary report revealed that the soldiers discussed a wide range of issues with him, who seemed to be inciting soldiers to create discontent within the system," the statement said . The Army alleged that he had conversations with soldiers that bordered on subversion, citing an example of a chat that posed serious risks to discipline and national security .
The Army also linked his arrest to an alleged breach of the Armed Forces' Social Media Policy and an attempt to misinform the public . The Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai had earlier raised concerns over the issues circulating online, maintaining that a detailed internal review found the claims to be misleading and inconsistent with the actual welfare and feeding arrangements of troops in the North East Theatre . A statement from the Theatre Command noted that a specific incident was identified involving a personnel who deliberately circulated a misleading image of a partially consumed meal, intended to create a false impression of troop feeding conditions . Investigations confirmed that the image did not represent the complete ration issued to the individual at the time, according to the military .
However, human rights groups have condemned the arrest and detention, describing it as a direct assault on the constitution and a chilling sign of creeping militarism. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria dismissed the Army's explanation as an "afterthought justification," insisting that no amount of official framing can disguise what it called "a crude, unlawful abduction carried out in broad daylight" . "Let Nigerians be clear: this was not an arrest. This was a kidnapping by men in uniform," the group declared . HURIWA questioned why a civilian was seized by soldiers instead of being invited by lawful civil authorities, and what specific law authorises the military to pick up citizens on nebulous grounds . The group warned that when soldiers begin to act like kidnappers, the state loses its moral authority to fight actual kidnappers .
The case has sparked intense debate online and offline over military welfare, freedom of expression, and the limits of civilian interaction with serving personnel. Before the Army's statement, family members had raised alarm after losing contact with him for several days . His wife revealed that he was last seen on Tuesday, April 28, after leaving home for what he told her was a meeting, shortly after receiving a phone call . Since then, she said his phones had remained switched off, and repeated attempts by family members and associates to reach him failed, fuelling speculation and concern . In a viral video, a relative described his detention in emotional terms, alleging that he was tied to a tree and left outside for 72 hours .
"Justice has been under the sun. He was tied to a tree, and he was left outside for 72 hours, and he's been tortured by the military. What's his crime? His crime is that he spoke for the oppressed Nigerians," the relative said in the video . She also alleged that he was targeted for speaking against the alleged extrajudicial killing of a civilian and for raising concerns over the welfare of junior soldiers . The Nigerian Army, however, has insisted that its actions followed due process and that it remains committed to the rule of law . In a statement, the military said it would continue to act within the ambit of the law in safeguarding national sovereignty .
As the case moves toward trial, the question of whether the activist's advocacy for soldiers' welfare crossed a line into incitement remains at the heart of the legal battle. For now, he remains in custody, and his supporters have vowed to continue their protests until he is freed. Stone Reporters News will continue to follow this developing story.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments