SOLDIERS SENT IMAGES TO “JUSTICE CRACK,” DSS WITNESS TELLS COURT IN CYBERCRIME CASE

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to activist and social media commentator, Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” in the sum of N5 million.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while ruling on the bail application, ordered that the bail must be secured with one surety in the same amount.

The court stated that the surety must reside within its jurisdiction at a fixed address for at least four years and must present proof of residence, such as a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy, at the court registry.

The surety is also required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary, an authentication letter from the head of department, and proof of pensionable employment. The court further directed that the surety must submit an affidavit of means and a recent passport photograph, while the defendant is to deposit his international passport.

Earlier, prosecution counsel M.L. Jackson informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with trial.

A DSS operative, identified as Uruntu Douglas, testified as the first prosecution witness, stating that he encountered the defendant during investigations after the case was transferred from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the DSS.

The witness said the defendant voluntarily made a statement in the presence of his lawyers. He also alleged that soldiers had sent images to the defendant, who then created videos from the materials and posted them online without verifying their authenticity from military sources.

He further told the court that investigators extracted data from the defendant’s phone, including videos posted online, conversations with soldiers, chats with a godfather allegedly discussing protests, and social media content.

According to him, a certificate of compliance was issued after forensic analysis was completed.

Defence counsel Sam Amadi told the court that the defence had not been served with the investigation report and other documents the prosecution intended to rely on. The prosecution admitted the oversight and apologised.

Justice Abdulmalik later admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A, along with an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, a flash drive containing videos, extracted conversations, and the certificate of compliance.

The defence objected to the flash drive, arguing that its contents had not been properly presented in court.

The case was adjourned to May 25 for continuation of trial, with the first prosecution witness yet to be discharged.