The bail hearing of Nigerian activist, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, was on Thursday, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a disagreement among members of his legal team over who should lead the defence.
The development forced the withdrawal of an earlier bail application filed on behalf of the activist, prompting the court to adjourn the matter till Monday, May 18, for the hearing of a fresh application.
Speaking with journalists after proceedings, counsel to the activist, Femi Balogun, accused another lawyer in the defence team, Marshall Abubakar, of frustrating the bail process after being prevented from leading the case.
Balogun said he was directed by the family of the activist to take charge of the matter in court because he was senior at the bar.
According to him, Marshall, who filed the original bail application, insisted on leading the defence despite the presence of senior lawyers.
He said, “Today the matter was supposed to be for the hearing of the bail application. However, I was directed by the family to lead in respect of the matter for today.
“I was with Marshall at the last court sitting, but Marshall is my junior. I’m a senior at the bar. There were some other senior counsels at the last time, but he insisted on leading everyone, even though in law, there’s seniority at the bar.”
Balogun alleged that Marshall subsequently applied to withdraw the bail application because he was not allowed to lead the proceedings.
“But today, I insisted that I have to lead based on the fact that the family has directed me to lead. But Marshall, in his vindictive way, applied to strike out the bail application on the basis that he’s not leading, which is unfair,” he said.
He described the decision as contrary to the interest of justice, arguing that disagreements among lawyers should not prevent the defendant from pursuing his liberty.
“Ordinarily, if he’s doing this for justice, for the interest of justice, I don’t see a reason, even if you are not the counsel leading, why you should withdraw the bail application you have filed for the person to enjoy his liberty,” Balogun added.
According to him, the court had no option but to strike out the application following the withdrawal request.
He disclosed that a fresh bail application would be filed immediately for a hearing on the adjourned date.
“The court directed us to come back on Monday, May 18. We are going to file the bail application today, and the matter will be heard on Monday,” he said.
Balogun also disclosed that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had taken over the prosecution of the case from the Department of State Services, although there was no objection from the prosecution during proceedings.
Justice Crack was earlier remanded in prison custody by the court over a viral video allegedly criticising the Nigerian Army’s feeding arrangements.
The activist was arraigned on charges said to border on cyber-related offences.
One of the charges against him read, “That you, CHIDIEBERE JUSTICE MARK, adult, male, of Plot 88 Sabon-Lugbe, Abuja, on or about the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did circulate information to the public through your social media handle @JusticeCrack, regarding alleged inadequate feeding of Nigerian Army personnel, which you know the said information to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing annoyance, ill will, and hatred, especially among the citizens who hold divergent views and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015, as amended.”
The case has generated reactions on social media, with supporters describing the prosecution as an attempt to silence dissent, while authorities insist the charges are in line with existing laws governing online publications.
The PUNCH