Politics
Court Remands ‘Justice Crack’ Over Cybercrime Charges
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded a blogger and social media personality, Chidiebere Mark, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) following his arraignment on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.
The DSS accused the defendant, who was remanded on Monday, of making false and damaging claims about personnel of the Nigerian Army. Central to the case is a viral video he posted on his X handle (@JusticeCrack), in which he alleged that soldiers were poorly fed and subjected to inadequate welfare conditions.
TheFact Daily reports that Mark’s post drew mixed reactions from the public. While some social media users echoed concerns about conditions in the military, authorities insist the assertions were unfounded and misleading. According to the Army, preliminary investigations revealed he had conversations with soldiers that bordered on subversion.
According to the charge, the publication was capable of tarnishing the reputation of the Nigerian Army, while also constituting a breach of public peace and a felony under relevant laws.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read in open court.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Mr. E. Orubo, applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.
Defence counsel, Mr. Marshall Abubakar, made an oral application for bail, which the court declined, directing that a formal bail application must be filed before it can be considered.
Following Mark’s arraignment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 25, 2026, for trial and possible hearing of a bail application. The judge ordered that he be remanded DSS’ custody.
