A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to social media commentator and activist Chidiebere (Justice Crack) in the sum of ₦5 million, in a ruling that comes amid his ongoing trial over alleged cybercrime offences.
Delivering the decision, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the bail must be secured with one surety in the same amount.
The court set strict conditions for the surety, requiring that the individual must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and maintain a fixed address for at least four years.
Proof of residence such as a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy must also be submitted to the court registry.
In addition, the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary payments. The court also required an official letter from the head of department confirming employment status, along with proof of pensionable service.
The judge further directed that the surety must file an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph.
The defendant, meanwhile, is required to deposit his international passport with the court.
During proceedings, prosecutors told the court they were ready to begin trial and called their first witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified as Uruntu Douglas.
The witness told the court he became involved in the case after the defendant was transferred to the DSS from military intelligence, adding that Chidiebere allegedly made and shared social media videos based on military images without verifying their authenticity.
He also claimed investigators retrieved data from the defendant’s phone, including videos, chats, and online communications allegedly linked to protest-related discussions.
The prosecution tendered several exhibits, including a DSS investigation report, an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, and a flash drive said to contain relevant video material.
A certificate of compliance was also presented.
However, the defence objected to the flash drive, arguing that its contents were not properly demonstrated in court.
The case was adjourned until May 25 for continuation of trial.
