Abuja Courtroom Drama: Justice Crack's Bail Application Hits Snag After Lawyer Withdraws

The bail hearing of embattled social critic, Justioce Chidiebere aka Justice Crack, was stalled today, May 14, after his counsel, Marshal Abubakar, withdrew the bail application in the ongoing cybercrime case. Justice Crack appeared before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday,  following allegations of inciting soldiers to create discontent within the system of the Nigerian Army. At the resumed sitting of the case today, a lawyer from the office of the attorney general announced appearance for the prosecution, stating that the AGF is taking over the prosecution of the case. When it was time for the defendant’s counsel to announce his appearance, Olufemi Balogun stood up as well as Marshal Abubakar; they both tried to announce the defendant’s appearance at the same time. Abubakar had insisted that he was the counsel on record at the last adjourned date, while Balogun said he was briefed by the defendant to lead the case. Justice Joyce Abudulmalik asked the defendant who was leading his case, in which Justice Crank identified Balogun. Shortly after, Marshall Abubakar withdrew from the matter as well as the applications he had filed. This move set the hearing of the bail back because it was the only pending bail application before the court. Balogun told the court he will be filing a fresh bail application. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned until 18th May for the hearing, ordering the prosecution to open its case on the same day or have it struck out for want of diligent prosecution.