The bail hearing of activist, Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, has been stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a disagreement among members of his legal team over who should lead the defence.
The disagreement resulted in the withdrawal of an earlier bail application and forced the court to adjourn proceedings until Monday, May 18, for the hearing of a fresh application.
Bankole Abe Abiodun Dare reports.
Proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday were disrupted after a disagreement broke out within the defence team representing activist, Justice Mark Chidiebere, also known as Justice Crack.
The dispute centred on who should take charge of the defence during the hearing of the activist’s bail application.
Following the disagreement, an earlier application seeking the defendant’s release was withdrawn, prompting the court to adjourn the matter until May 18 for a fresh hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, defence counsel, Femi Balogun, accused fellow lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, of frustrating efforts to secure the activist’s release after he was prevented from leading the case.
Balogun said the activist’s family had asked him to handle the matter because of his seniority at the Bar, but alleged that Abubakar insisted on retaining control of the defence despite the presence of more senior lawyers.
He further claimed that Abubakar later withdrew the bail application after he was not allowed to lead proceedings, describing the action as unfair and against the interest of justice.
Abubakar, however, denied the allegation and maintained that he had only acted in line with the court’s directive after another lawyer unexpectedly announced appearance in the matter.
According to him, he had been handling the case from the outset and had personally initiated efforts aimed at securing the activist’s release.
He disclosed that he had written to the Attorney-General of the Federation requesting discontinuance of the case and had also engaged activist, Omoyele Sowore, officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation over the matter.
Abubakar added that he took up the case on a pro bono basis after being contacted by the activist’s wife and had not received payment from anyone.
He explained that after the trial judge asked whether he intended to withdraw his appearance, he chose to do so, leading to the automatic withdrawal of all applications he had filed in the matter.
Balogun, however, stated that the court had no choice but to strike out the bail application following the withdrawal before adjourning the matter for a fresh application to be heard.
He also revealed that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had now taken over the prosecution from the Department of State Services.
Justice Crack was earlier remanded in prison custody over a viral social media video in which he allegedly criticised feeding arrangements within the Nigerian Army.
The activist is facing charges bordering on cyber-related offences under the Cybercrimes Act.
Prosecutors allege that he circulated false information through his social media handle, @JusticeCrack, concerning the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel with intent to incite hatred, annoyance and ill will among citizens.
The case has continued to attract widespread public attention, with supporters describing the prosecution as an attempt to suppress dissent, while authorities insist the charges are in line with existing laws regulating online publications.
The matter is expected to resume on Monday, May 18, when the court will hear a fresh bail application filed on behalf of the activist.