A social media influencer and blogger, Mr Justice Mark Chidbere, popularly known as Justice Crack, was arrested on April 28, 2026, by operatives of the Nigerian Army after he honoured an invitation for a meeting at the NAOWA Shopping Complex in Asokoro, Abuja. The Army accused him of attempting to incite soldiers and plotting “subversion” against the military high command.
Initially, his whereabouts were unknown, culminating in media campaigns about his being missing. On May 2, 2026, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed in a statement released by her office that Chidiebere was “picked up” alongside some soldiers following a preliminary investigation into viral social media posts regarding troop welfare and feeding.
Colonel Anele also disclosed further that: “While the soldiers remain in own custody, Chidiebere has been handed over to the relevant civil authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
On May 4, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned him before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mr Uruntu Douglas, the DSS operative who testified in court, said the blogger was first arrested by the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps before being transferred to the DSS for investigation.
The DSS told the court that some soldiers allegedly sent photographs to Justice Crack, who then used the images to create videos and posted them online without confirming the authenticity of the materials from military authorities. He added that DSS investigators also recovered videos, chats, and conversations from his phone, including discussions allegedly linked to protests and exchanges with his “godfather.”
While the DSS counsel, Mr Mark Oruba, urged the court to remand Mr Chidbere in DSS custody pending trial, citing public security concerns, his counsel opposed the application, saying that he planned to file a bail application.
Following the lawyers’ argument, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the blogger be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the case to May 25 for commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.
On May 18, 2026, Justice Abdulmalik granted him bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum. He was also asked to produce a surety who must have lived within the court’s jurisdiction for at least four years and provide proof of residence through a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy. The court also ordered that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, who should provide evidence of three months’ salary, proof of pensionable employment, and a letter from the person’s head of department. The surety is also expected to submit a passport photograph and an affidavit of means.
Justice Crack was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the court.
The case was adjourned till May 25, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
After meeting the bail conditions, he was set free on May 21. His freedom was disclosed by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. In the post, Sowore said, “Justice Crack is out now. He is finally free from the unjust detention imposed by the lawless Department of State Services (DSS).
