Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has agreed to review the continued detention of a whistleblower and activist, Chidiebere Justice Mark, also known as Justice Crack, with indications that efforts are underway to secure his release and discont
Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has agreed to review the continued detention of a whistleblower and activist, Chidiebere Justice Mark, also known as Justice Crack, with indications that efforts are underway to secure his release and discontinue all charges against him, according to human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar.
Abubakar disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday shortly after a high-level meeting with the justice minister.
The lawyer described the engagement as productive and centred on justice, rule of law, and the protection of citizens who expose corruption and wrongdoing within government.
According to him, there was a common ground reached with the Attorney General that no Nigerian should be punished for acts of patriotism, particularly for exposing corruption.
“There was a common ground that no Nigerian citizen who has helped in exposing corruption and wrongdoing should be penalised for such a patriotic act,” Abubakar said.
He added that the minister acknowledged that any Nigerian subjected to detention or torture for exposing corruption is entitled to justice from the state.
“The minister agreed that where a Nigerian citizen is being detained and/or tortured for exposing corruption and ills in governance, such a person is entitled to justice by the Nigerian state. So he has graciously agreed that he is looking into the expeditious release of our comrade, Comrade Justice Crack.”
Abubakar emphasised that public anger over the matter is rising and warned that the era of impunity must end.
“We impressed it upon him that Nigerian people are agitated. And the era of having people in government trample on our rights without due regard to the dictates of justice is over,” he said.
He further revealed that the minister expressed willingness to resolve the matter urgently and reunite the detainee with his family.
“He also agreed with us that this matter should be resolved expeditiously, as quickly as possible, and the young man should be allowed to go back to his wife and children as soon as possible. We informed him that we want that to be this week,” he said.
Abubakar said the Attorney General has also shown commitment toward discontinuing all charges filed against the detainee.
“He has shown his commitment to saying that all charges against Comrade Justice Crack Chidiebere will be discontinued. He has promised to get back to us, hopefully today or tomorrow,” he said
Insisting on his innocence, the lawyer declared that Justice Crack committed no offence and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unlawful.
“The abduction and the false disappearance of Justice Crack and the filing of complicated and bogus charges against him by state actors must stop. It must end, and Justice Crack must be released and compensated,” he said.
Abubakar also condemned the growing pattern of harassment and intimidation of citizens who speak out against corruption.
“It is so sad that in this country today, state actors are only interested in harassing and gagging patriotic citizens who only carry out their responsibility by exposing corruption and ills in government. That must stop,” the lawyer said.
He added that activist Omoyele Sowore had advised the justice minister not to allow his office to be used as a tool for oppression.
“Comrade President Sowore informed me and advised that on no account should he allow his office to be used by oppressors who gag Nigerian citizens. And we did agree that that should not be the case,” he said.
Beyond the case of Justice Crack, Marshal said the meeting also addressed the prolonged detention of Delta-based activist Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, as well as other politically sensitive matters.
“Other cases like that of Comrade Aghogho in Delta State were also raised, and several other issues that are in the front burner of national politics. He has also shown his commitment to saying that these cases are resolved,” he said.
Marshal expressed optimism that the intervention of the Attorney General would yield immediate results.
