By Our Correspondent

In a bid to stamp out criminality in the country, the Federal Government on Monday commenced the prosecution of social media activist and influencer, Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, over alleged cybercrime and felony offences before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Chidiebere, who was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on an amended three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime-related offences, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At the resumed proceedings, the prosecution’s first witness, Oronto Douglas, told the court that audio and video recordings obtained during the defendant’s interview had been transferred onto a flash drive for evidential purposes.

Douglas said he also signed a certificate of compliance in accordance with legal provisions regulating electronically generated evidence.

The defence, however, opposed the admissibility and playback of the flash drive, arguing that the contents could not be independently verified.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently criticised the prosecution for failing to properly apply for a playback device to enable the evidence to be viewed openly in court.

Although the prosecution explained that it had submitted a request to the office of the deputy chief registrar for the device, the judge held that the application should have been directed to the head of the court’s Information Technology Department.

Following the development, counsel to the defendant urged the court to allow the bail conditions earlier granted to Chidiebere to remain in effect pending the continuation of trial.

The prosecution did not oppose the request, and the court accordingly upheld the existing bail conditions.

Justice Abdulmalik thereafter adjourned the matter until September 28 for continuation of hearing.

The case has continued to generate public attention since Chidiebere’s controversial arrest earlier this year.

The activist was reportedly declared missing by his family in April 2026 after allegedly dropping his child at school in Abuja and failing to return home.

The incident triggered widespread outrage and allegations of enforced disappearance by civil society groups and rights advocates.

Amid growing public pressure, the Nigerian Army later confirmed that the influencer was in military custody.

Military authorities alleged that Chidiebere was linked to viral social media videos showing soldiers complaining about poor feeding, welfare concerns and harsh frontline conditions.

The military accused him of actions capable of inciting personnel and undermining national security before handing him over to civil authorities for prosecution.

He was later arraigned by the Department of State Services on charges including cybercrime and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

After regaining his freedom, Chidiebere broke his silence in a statement posted on his verified X account, where he thanked Nigerians, journalists and rights advocates who campaigned for his release.

“My dear Nigerians, colleagues in the media, critics, and everyone who lent their voice during this difficult period, I sincerely thank you all,” he wrote.

While denying any intention to undermine state institutions, the activist said his actions were motivated by a desire for a better Nigeria.

“My desire has never been to bring down any institution or create division.

“I respect the sacrifices of the men and women serving this country, just as I remain committed to speaking for ordinary Nigerians who dream of a better nation”, he stated.

He also pledged to avoid comments capable of interfering with the ongoing proceedings, expressing confidence in the judicial process.

“At this moment, my focus is not bitterness, blame, or conflict. My focus remains the Nigeria we all deserve, a Nigeria that works for everyone”, he added.

The substantive hearing in the case is expected to continue before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 28.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

After two years of legal tussle against the former lawmaker representing Bosso Constituency at the Niger State House of Assembly,Hon Abdulmalik Madaki, Justice Mikhail Abdullahi has found him not guilty.

The former lawmaker was dragged to Minna High Court by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) through a petition filed by Arch. Abubakar Gwamna alleged that the former law maker diverted funds meant for constituency projects to his personal pocket.

During the trial five witnesses testified against the former which include the prosecuting witness from the EFCC while one one Awaisu Wana who was said to have the petition for the petitioner,Arch Abubakar Gwamna refused to appear before the court to testify.

Also the then Clerk of the Niger State House of Assembly,Mallam Abubakar Kagara was called as a witness and some documents were tendered as evidence.

Abubakar Gwamna who succeeded Hon. Abdulmalik Madaki in the state house of Assembly filed the frivolous petition alleging that his predecessor collected huge amount of Millions of Naira as Constituency allowance through out his stay as member representing Bosso State Assembly without any project in the constituency.

All the documents tendered in the court during trial were all admitted as evidence for the prosecution of the former lawmaker.

Two of his Defence Attorney Admu Umar Esq.and Ishyaku Barau, in their separate submission during the trial, prayed the court for no case submission in favour of the former law maker as most of the evidence and the prosecuting witnesses were not consistent.

While ruling on the no case submission as prayed for by the both Attorneys, Justice Mikhail Abdullahi held that the prosecuting counsel of the EFCC failed to prove all the allegations brought against the defendant and the court find him not guilty “ because the prosecutor failed to establish any case against the defendant and is discharged accordingly”

By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Friday accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of obstructing access to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, after a delegation comprising the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; and Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, was denied access to him at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

In a strongly worded statement, the party said it had previously written to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights for El-Rufai amid concerns raised by his family over the alleged denial of access to doctors and food. The ADC warned that “Nigeria and the world are watching,” insisting that the former governor was being subjected to intimidation and political persecution, while threatening to mobilise party members nationwide if access to him continues to be denied.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to express its concern over the refusal of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to grant senior leaders of our party access to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent leader of our party, who remains in the custody of the Commission.

Earlier today, alongside the National Secretary of our party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, we visited the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja to see Mallam El-Rufai. Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation.

While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility. The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.

It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest. At no point did members of our delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises. Yet the response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.

Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices.

It is important to state that the National Secretary of the ADC had previously written officially to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mallam El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his wellbeing and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel.

Only days ago, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai publicly alleged that her husband was denied access to his doctor and that she was prevented from delivering food to him while in custody after arriving at the facility in the evening. Members of his family have similarly raised concerns that even court-ordered medical access was being frustrated through administrative obstruction and arbitrary protocols.

While the ICPC has publicly denied these allegations and insisted that access protocols were followed, the continued refusal to allow leaders of his political party to see him only deepens suspicion and raises further questions about the true nature of his detention.

Let it be clear: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law. What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.

The ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to this pattern of harassment and calculated humiliation. Nigeria is watching. The international community is watching. The world is watching.

We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party. Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.