Bail Hearing for Activist Mark Stalled by Lawyers Dispute

A bail hearing for Nigerian social media activist Chidiebere Justice Mark, known online as Justice Crack, stalled Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after a dispute erupted among his defense lawyers over leadership of the case. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 18 for a fresh bail application, leaving the defendant in custody.

The conflict arose when Femi Balogun and Marshall Abubakar both announced appearances for Mark. Balogun, citing instructions from the defendant's family and his seniority at the bar, sought to lead the proceedings. Mark identified Balogun as his counsel in court. Abubakar, who had filed the original bail application and appeared at prior hearings, applied to withdraw his appearance and all related processes, including the bail request. The judge struck out the documents and rescheduled the hearing.

Prosecutors from the Federal Ministry of Justice, representing the Attorney General of the Federation, informed the court that the case had transferred from the Department of State Services to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. No objections were raised during the session.