Alleged Cybercrime: Court Grants ‘Justice Crack’ ₦5m Bail as DSS Opens Case With Digital Evidence

By: Michael Mike

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted bail to social media commentator, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known online as “Justice Crack,” in the sum of ₦5 million over allegations bordering on cybercrime and the dissemination of controversial military-related content on social media.

The bail was secured by the defendant’s new counsel, Sam Amadi, who also commended the treatment of his client while in the custody of the Department of State Services.

Trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the bail application with stringent conditions and adjourned the matter until May 25 for continuation of trial.

Under the conditions outlined by the court, the defendant must provide one surety in like sum who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction at a verifiable address for at least four years.

The court further directed that the surety must submit proof of residence through either a tenancy agreement or Certificate of Occupancy to the court registry.

In addition, the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, provide evidence of at least three months’ salary payments, present authentication from the immediate head of department, and show proof of pensionable employment.

The surety is also expected to depose to an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph.

Justice Abdulmalik further ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court pending the determination of the case.

Earlier during proceedings, prosecution counsel, M. L. Aboye, informed the court that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with trial and subsequently called its first witness, identified as Oronto Douglas, a DSS operative.

Testifying before the court, the witness said he became involved in the matter during investigations after his transfer from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the DSS.

According to the witness, the defendant voluntarily made an extra-judicial statement in the presence of legal aid lawyers.

The DSS operative alleged that some soldiers had sent photographs to the defendant, who then allegedly converted the images into videos and published them online without first verifying their authenticity with military authorities.

The witness further told the court that investigators carried out a forensic examination of the defendant’s mobile phone and extracted several materials allegedly linked to the case.

The materials, according to him, included videos purportedly uploaded to social media platforms, conversations between the defendant and some soldiers, chats involving discussions about protests with an individual described as his “godfather,” as well as extracts from the defendant’s social media accounts.

He added that a certificate of compliance was issued and signed by a superior officer after completion of the forensic analysis.

However, during proceedings, defence counsel Sam Amadi informed the court that the defence team had not been served with the investigation report and other documentary evidence the prosecution intended to tender.

Responding, the prosecution described the omission as an oversight and apologised to the court.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A.

The prosecution also tendered an iPhone allegedly recovered from the defendant, a flash drive said to contain videos posted online, extracted conversations from the device, and the accompanying certificate of compliance.

The defence, however, objected to the admissibility of the flash drive, arguing that its contents had neither been properly described nor played in open court for verification and evaluation.

The objection is expected to form part of issues for determination as the trial progresses.

The case has continued to generate attention within legal and civil society circles amid growing debates over cybercrime prosecutions, digital expression, and the use of online platforms for political and security-related commentary in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, counsel previously associated with the matter, including lawyer to activist Omoyele Sowore, Marshall Abubakar, was absent during the court proceedings.

Alleged Cybercrime: Court Grants ‘Justice Crack’ ₦5m Bail as DSS Opens Case With Digital Evidence

Zulum Appoints Acting Chief of Staff, Assigns Portfolios to New Commissioners

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the appointment of Engr. Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe as the Acting Chief of Staff to the Governor as part of efforts to strengthen governance and accelerate policy implementation in the state.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, said Dr. Mallumbe, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS I) to the Governor, would assume the new role with immediate effect.

The governor also approved the posting and allocation of portfolios to the 10 newly sworn-in commissioners, describing the move as part of broader efforts to enhance service delivery and drive the implementation of the administration’s 25-year Development Plan and 10-year Strategic Transformation Initiatives.

According to the statement, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while Hon. Bukar Mustapha Dalatu was assigned the Ministry of Budget and Planning.

Hon. Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe was posted to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, while Hon. Umar Lawan Dalorima will oversee the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Professor Baba Mallam Gana was named Commissioner for Health and Human Services, while Professor Usman A. Tar was assigned the Ministry of Information and Internal Security.

The statement further indicated that Hon. Sugun Mai Mele will head the Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, while Hon. Aliyu Mohammed Lawan Buba was posted to the Ministry of Transport and Energy.

Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo was appointed Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, while Hon. Saina Buba will oversee the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation.

The government directed all the commissioners to assume duties in their respective ministries immediately.

The latest appointments come as the Zulum administration intensifies efforts to consolidate reforms in governance, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security coordination and economic recovery in the insurgency-affected state.

Zulum Appoints Acting Chief of Staff, Assigns Portfolios to New Commissioners

Five Militants Killed in Attack Near Ayorou as Local Official Abducted in Niger Republic

By: Zagazola Makama

At least five local militia members were killed following an attack by suspected Islamic State-linked gunmen in Seno village near Ayorou in Niger Republic’s Tillabéri region.

Local sources said the attack occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on May 17, 2026, when armed militants stormed the village, located approximately six kilometres from Ayorou, and targeted traders and local security volunteers operating in the area.

According to preliminary reports, at least five members of local self-defence groups engaged in securing the community were killed during the assault.

The incident came hours after the reported abduction of a local official identified as Moussa Koukou, said to be the perimeter manager of Diomana.

Sources disclosed that Koukou was kidnapped at about 11:00 a.m. while travelling in a Toyota RAV4 vehicle within the area.

Security sources believe the attack and abduction may be linked to ongoing activities of extremist groups affiliated with the Islamic State operating across the volatile Tillabéri region near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.

No official statement had been issued by Nigerien authorities as of the time of filing this report, while monitoring and security operations were said to be ongoing in the affected communities.

Five Militants Killed in Attack Near Ayorou as Local Official Abducted in Niger Republic