A group of protesters have approached Department of State Services (DSS) offcials over the ongoing detention of blogger and influencer Justice Crack, causing tension at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The scene started when DSS agents tried to remove the blogger from the courtroom shortly after his arraignment.
Enraged by the situation, a number of demonstrators surrounded the security personnel in a human shield while yelling, “Free Justice Crack,” and claiming that his incarceration was unjust.
Declaring that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, the demonstrators also called for a meeting with the Federation’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
“We want to see the minister! Call the minister! Let him come out! Protest is a fundamental human right!” some of them shouted during the standoff.
The protest later shifted toward the Ministry of Justice, with demonstrators urging residents of Abuja to join them.
“Everybody please come to the Ministry of Justice, we need you Nigerians. They said Justice’s next court date is May 26, which means he will remain there for one month. Please help us and come out if you’re in Abuja,” one protester said.
Activists and social media personalities, including Omoyele Sowore and Peter Akah, were also present at the scene, lending their voices to calls for the blogger’s release.
Justice Crack detention
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that the Nigerian Army provided an explanation for the arrest of social media influencer Justice Mark Chidiebere, also referred to as “Justice Crack”.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, claimed that online articles in which Chidiebere purportedly conveyed grievances from soldiers over welfare and nutrition circumstances caught its notice, hence he is being held in relation to an ongoing investigation concerning suspected incitement of soldiers and alleged violations of military social media regulations.
