The Federal Government on Monday opened its case against social media activist and influencer, Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and related offences.
Chidiebere was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on an amended three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime and felony under the Cybercrime Act. He pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
At the resumed hearing, the first prosecution witness, Oronto Douglas, continued his evidence-in-chief and told the court that audio and video recordings obtained during the defendant’s interview had been downloaded onto a flash drive.
Douglas also said he signed a certificate of compliance in respect of the electronic evidence.
However, defence counsel objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents could not be independently verified and should not be played in its present form.
Justice Abdulmalik faulted the prosecution for failing to properly apply to the court for a playback device to enable the evidence to be viewed in open court.
The prosecution said an application had been made to the Deputy Chief Registrar for the equipment, but the court held that such a request ought to have been directed to the head of the court’s Information Technology Department.
Following the exchange, defence counsel asked the court to allow the bail conditions earlier granted to the defendant to continue. The prosecution did not oppose the request, and the court affirmed the existing bail terms.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to September 28 for continuation of trial and to enable the prosecution make the necessary application to the court’s IT department for the viewing of the forensic evidence.
Chidiebere was earlier released from custody after weeks of detention following public concern over his reported disappearance.
He was first declared missing in April 2026 after allegedly dropping his child at school in Abuja and failing to return home, prompting his family to raise the alarm.
The Nigerian Army later confirmed that he was in military custody, stating that he was arrested over viral social media videos allegedly showing soldiers complaining about poor welfare and feeding conditions.
The Army said the content was capable of inciting personnel and undermining national security before he was transferred to civil authorities for prosecution.
He was later arraigned by the Department of State Services on charges including cybercrime and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.
After regaining freedom, Chidiebere thanked Nigerians, journalists and rights advocates who spoke out during his detention, insisting that his actions were not intended to destabilise national institutions.
The cybercrime trial is expected to continue before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The post “FG Opens Cybercrime Trial Against Justice Crack” — Court Adjourns To September 28 For Forensic Evidence Review appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
