By Rejoice Peterside
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded social critic and social media personality, Justice Chidebere, widely known as “Justice Crack,” in the custody of the State Security Services (SSS) over alleged offences relating to cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony.
Justice Crack was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge filed against him by security authorities following allegations linked to his recent social media activities involving personnel of the Nigerian Army.
At the hearing, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.
Following the arraignment, counsel to the SSS, Mark Oruba, urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial, arguing that the matter involved issues of national security and public safety.
According to the prosecution, keeping the defendant in custody was necessary in the interest of public peace and security while investigations and trial processes continued.
However, counsel to the defendant opposed the application, informing the court that although the defence had already been served with the charges, preparations were underway to file a formal bail application later in the week.
The defence argued that the accused should be granted the opportunity to seek bail and defend himself in accordance with the law.
After listening to both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, ordered that Justice Crack be remanded in SSS custody pending further proceedings.
The court fixed May 25 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.
The case has generated public attention following the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
In a statement released on Saturday, May 2, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, explained that Justice Crack was arrested after he made a social media post featuring complaints allegedly raised by soldiers concerning poor feeding and welfare conditions within the military.
According to the Nigerian Army, the post initially appeared to focus on welfare concerns affecting personnel, but further investigation suggested that the influencer’s actions extended beyond advocacy.
The Army stated that deeper findings showed that his engagement with the affected soldiers indicated attempts to incite dissatisfaction and create disaffection within the military structure.
It alleged that his conduct went beyond drawing public attention to welfare concerns and entered the realm of deliberate attempts to stir unrest among serving personnel.
The military maintained that such actions posed a serious threat to discipline, internal order, and national security, particularly within a sensitive institution like the armed forces.
Officials argued that while freedom of expression remains a constitutional right, any attempt to exploit internal grievances within the armed forces for destabilising purposes would be treated seriously.
The development has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some defending Justice Crack’s actions as an effort to amplify the welfare concerns of soldiers, while others argue that military discipline and national security must be protected.
As the matter proceeds to trial, attention will remain on whether the allegations can be substantiated in court and whether the defendant will be granted bail when the application is heard later this month.
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