Justice Crack’s Bail Hearing Stalled As Lawyer Withdraws Application In Open Court

Abuja, Nigeria– The bail hearing of popular blogger, Justice Chidebere, widely known as Justice Crack, suffered a major setback on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after his former counsel  withdrew both his representation and the pending bail application before the court.

The case, which was initially adjourned to May 25 for hearing, was earlier brought forward by the court to Thursday, May 14, 2026.

At the resumed proceedings, a lawyer representing the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) announced appearance for the prosecution and informed the court that the AGF had officially taken over the prosecution of the matter.

Drama, however, unfolded when it was time for the defence to announce appearance.

Two lawyers — Olufemi Balogun and Marshal Abubakar — simultaneously rose to represent Justice Crack.

Abubakar insisted that he remained the counsel on record, having appeared for the defendant at the last adjourned date. But Balogun countered, telling the court that he had been briefed directly by the defendant to lead the defence.

Trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently asked Justice Crack to clarify who was representing him.

The blogger pointed at Balogun.

Moments later, Abubakar announced his withdrawal from the case and also withdrew all applications he had previously filed, including the pending bail application.

The development effectively stalled the scheduled bail hearing, as the withdrawn application was the only bail request before the court.

Balogun thereafter informed the court that he would file a fresh bail application on behalf of the defendant.

Following the proceedings, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 18 for hearing.

The judge also directed the prosecution to open its case on the next adjourned date or risk having the matter struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.