Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to activist and social media commentator Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” in the sum of five million naira.
Delivering ruling on the bail application, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the bail bond must be backed by one surety in like sum.
The court held that the proposed 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, 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, a letter of authentication from the immediate head of department, as well as proof of pensionable employment.
The court further directed that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph, while the defendant is to deposit his international passport with the court.
Earlier, the first prosecution witness, a DSS operative, told the court that soldiers had sent pictures to the defendant, who allegedly made videos from the images and posted them on social media without confirming the authenticity of the materials from military sources.
The witness added that a certificate of compliance was issued after the forensic process was concluded.
During proceedings, defence counsel informed the court that the defence had not been served with the investigation report, which the prosecution described as an oversight. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A.
The prosecution also tendered an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, a flash drive containing videos posted on social media, and the certificate of compliance. The defence objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents had not been described or played before the court.
The court adjourned the case until May 25 for continuation of trial.
