By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to activist and social media commentator, Justice Chidiebere, in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction at a fixed address for at least four years and provide proof of residence, such as a tenancy agreement or certificate of occupancy.
The court further held that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary, a letter of authentication from a head of department, and proof of pensionable employment.
It also directed the surety to file an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph, while the defendant is to deposit his international passport with the court.
During proceedings, the prosecution told the court it was ready to commence trial, with its first witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified as Uruntu Douglas, testifying on the investigation into the defendant.
The witness told the court that the defendant allegedly made an extra-judicial statement in the presence of his lawyers and was linked to social media posts said to have been generated from images provided by military sources.
He also said investigators extracted data from the defendant’s phone, including videos, messages, and chats allegedly linked to soldiers and other individuals, as well as a certificate of compliance issued after forensic analysis.
The defence counsel, Sam Amadi, objected to the admissibility of some evidence, arguing that key materials had not been properly served on the defence, but the prosecution described it as an oversight and apologised.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently admitted the DSS investigation report as Exhibit A and accepted additional items, including an iPhone, a flash drive, and the certificate of compliance.
The defence objected to the flash drive, arguing that its contents had not been properly presented in court.
The case was adjourned until May 25 for continuation of trial, with the first prosecution witness yet to be discharged.
