Proceedings in the bail hearing of popular blogger, Justice Chidebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, suffered a major setback at the Federal High Court in Abuja after his former lawyer withdrew the pending bail application before the court.
The case, which was initially adjourned to May 25 for hearing, was earlier brought forward to Thursday, May 14, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
At the resumed sitting, counsel representing the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation announced appearance for the prosecution and informed the court that the AGF had officially taken over the matter.
Drama, however, unfolded when two lawyers — Olufemi Balogun and Marshal Abubakar — simultaneously attempted to announce appearance for the defendant.
Abubakar maintained that he remained the counsel on record from the previous adjourned date, while Balogun told the court that he had been briefed by the defendant to take over the defence.
Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, then asked the defendant to clarify who was representing him in the matter. Justice Crack subsequently identified Balogun as his counsel.
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Following the clarification, Abubakar formally withdrew from the case alongside all applications he had previously filed, including the pending bail application.
The development stalled the hearing of the bail request, as the withdrawn application was the only bail motion before the court.
Balogun later informed the court that he would file a fresh bail application on behalf of the defendant.
Justice Abdulmalik thereafter adjourned the matter until May 18 for hearing and directed the prosecution to open its case on the same day or risk having the matter struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.