The bail hearing for Nigerian activist Justice Chidiebere, widely known as Justice Crack, was delayed on Thursday the Federal High Court in Abuja after his legal team clashed over who would take the lead in his defense.
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.
After the proceedings, the activist’s lawyer, Femi Balogun, told journalists that fellow defence team member, Marshall Abubakar, had hindered the bail process following his removal 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.
The Newsmen reports that 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 alleged that on or about April 28, 2026, in Abuja, under the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, Chidiebere Justice Mark, an adult male living at Plot 88 Sabon-Lugbe, posted false information on his social media account @JusticeCrack about poor feeding of Nigerian Army personnel. It was said he knew the claim was untrue but shared it to provoke annoyance, ill will, and hatred, especially among citizens with opposing views, thus committing an offence 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.