The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to blogger and social media commentator, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the sum of N5 million.
Mr Chidiebere was arraigned by the State Security Service (SSS) on 4 May on three counts of cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His arrest followed viral videos he posted about poor welfare of Nigerian soldiers. He raised concerns about feeding conditions and treatment of troops in conflict zones. Soldiers first arrested him before he was transferred to the SSS and later arraigned in court.
Judge Joyce Abdulmalik, while ruling on the bail application, held that the defendant be admitted to bail to enable him face trial.
The court granted bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety.
The judge held that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court at a fixed address for at least four years and must deposit proof of residence, either through a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy, with the court registry.
The surety is also required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of payment of at least three months’ salary, a letter of authentication from the head of department, and proof of pensionable employment.
The court further directed the surety to swear an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph. It also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court.
Witness narrates arrest of defendant
Earlier, prosecution counsel M.L. Jackson, called the first prosecution witness, Uruntu Douglas, an SSS operative, who testified on his involvement in the investigation.
He said the case was transferred to the SSS from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps.
He told the court that the defendant volunteered a statement, which was recorded in the presence of his lawyers.
Mr Douglas said soldiers shared images with the defendant, who allegedly turned them into videos and posted them online without verifying their authenticity.
He added that investigators extracted data from the defendant’s phone, including videos allegedly posted on social media, chats between the defendant and some soldiers, messages with his godfather linked to planned protests, and material from his social media accounts.
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The witness said a certificate of compliance was issued and signed by a senior officer after forensic analysis.
However, Mr Chidiebere’s lawyer, 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 described the lapse as an oversight and apologised to the court.
Judge Abdulmalik admitted the SSS investigation report as Exhibit A.
The prosecution also tendered an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, a flash drive said to contain videos posted online, extracted conversations, and the certificate of compliance.
But, the defence objected to the flash drive, arguing that its contents were not played or properly demonstrated in court.
The judge adjourned the matter until 25 May for continuation of trial.