Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a detained social media influencer, Chidiebere Justice Mark, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” who is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to a viral video concerning the Nigerian Army. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum on Monday, May 18, 2026, after the Federal Government opened its case by calling its first witness, an operative of the DSS.
The hearing of the bail application had been stalled on Thursday, May 14, following a dispute between two lawyers who both claimed they had been contracted to represent the defendant. The legal tussle forced the court to adjourn the matter. However, on Monday, the prosecution moved forward with its case, and the court proceeded to rule on the bail application.
The DSS filed the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026 against Justice Crack as the sole defendant, accusing him of circulating false information and publishing material capable of causing public unrest. The viral post, shared on his X handle @JusticeCrack, alleged inadequate feeding of Nigerian soldiers. The defendant was arrested by the Nigerian Army and later transferred to DSS custody. The first prosecution witness, Uruntu Douglas, a DSS operative, told the court that the influencer had given his statement voluntarily and that data extracted from his phone, including pictures from soldiers who had complained about their welfare, was posted on his social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
The counsel to the defendant objected to the tendering of a flash drive and the defendant’s phone as evidence, stating that they had not been furnished with the content of these devices. Despite these objections, the court proceeded to admit the social media page printouts as exhibits. The judge noted that the prosecution had established a prima facie case but ruled that the defendant was entitled to bail as the alleged offences were bailable. A lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice had earlier informed the court that the Attorney‑General of the Federation (AGF) had taken over the matter from the DSS in line with the relevant provisions of the law.
As part of the bail conditions, the surety must be a responsible citizen who owns a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The defendant was ordered to deposit his international passport with the court and must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission. The case has been adjourned to a date to be fixed for the continuation of trial.
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