A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded Justice Chidebere, popularly known as “Justice Crack,” in the custody of the State Security Services, SSS.
The defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, breach of public peace, and felony, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Following the arraignment, counsel for the SSS, Mark Oruba, urged the court to remand the defendant in custody in the interest of public security.
However, defence counsel opposed the application, informing the court that although they had been served with the charges, they intended to file a bail application for hearing later in the week.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in a brief ruling ordered that the defendant be remanded in SSS custody until May 25 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.
According to an official statement signed by Colonel Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, there were investigations in the matter, when the defendant was arrested, for possible breach of the Armed Forces’ Social Media Policy and spreading of misinformation, where the Army said preliminary findings revealed that Chidiebere had engaged soldiers in discussions that allegedly sought to incite discontent and subversion within the ranks.
The Army disclosed that Justice Chidiebere was arrested alongside the concerned soldiers for further investigation.
While the soldiers remain in military custody, Chidiebere was handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation and prosecution.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
