The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of blogger and activist, Justice Chidebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, in the custody of the Department of State Services.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Monday after the defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, breach of public peace and felony.
Justice Crack pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Following the arraignment, counsel to the DSS, Mark Oruba, urged the court to remand the defendant in DSS custody in the interest of public security.
However, defence counsel opposed the application and informed the court that although the defence had been served with the charges, it intended to file a bail application for hearing later in the week.
In a short ruling, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendant be remanded in DSS custody until May 25, when the court will commence trial and hear his bail application.
Justice Crack was brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja by operatives of the State Security Service and taken to Courtroom Six, presided over by Justice Abdulmalik.
The arraignment followed allegations by the Nigerian Army that the activist had engaged soldiers in discussions capable of creating discontent within the military system.
In an earlier statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said preliminary findings showed that Justice Chidebere’s interaction with soldiers went beyond complaints about welfare and allegedly bordered on incitement and subversion.
“Preliminary report reveals that the soldiers discussed a wide range of issues with Justice Chidiebere, who seemed to be inciting soldiers to create discontent within the system,” the Army said.
The Army further alleged that such conduct had “far-reaching implications on discipline and national security.”
The Army had earlier handed Justice Crack over to civil authorities after arresting him alongside some soldiers linked to social media posts about feeding and welfare conditions in the North-East theatre.
According to the Army, the case also involved alleged breach of its social media policy and attempts to misinform the public.
However, his detention has generated controversy, with activists and supporters accusing security agencies of violating his rights.
During Monday’s arraignment, activists and members of the Take It Back Movement staged a protest outside the court, demanding his immediate release.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs and insisted that the blogger was innocent.
“Release Justice Crack! He is innocent!” they shouted.
There were also concerns from activists and family members over allegations that Justice Crack was tortured while in military custody before being transferred to the DSS.
Reports had alleged that he was chained to a tree under the sun for over 72 hours, a claim that drew widespread outrage from rights advocates.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had criticised the authorities over the matter, alleging that security agencies were attempting to legitimise unlawful detention and abuse by charging the activist to court instead of releasing him unconditionally.
According to family members, Justice Crack’s ordeal began after he criticised the military over the alleged extrajudicial killing of a civilian and commented on poor welfare conditions faced by soldiers.
A relative, in a viral video, alleged that the activist was maltreated in detention.
“He was tied to a tree and left outside for 72 hours. What’s his crime? He spoke for oppressed Nigerians,” the relative said.
The Nigerian Army, however, denied wrongdoing and maintained that the arrest was connected to alleged incitement of soldiers and conduct capable of undermining military discipline and national security.
The case has been adjourned to May 25 for commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.
