The bail hearing of social critic Justioce Chidiebere was delayed on Thursday, May 14, after his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, withdrew the existing bail application in the ongoing cybercrime case.

Justice Crack appeared before the Federal High Court over allegations of inciting soldiers to create disaffection within the Nigerian Army.

During the court session, a lawyer representing the Office of the Attorney General informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation had taken over the prosecution of the case. Confusion later arose when both Olufemi Balogun and Marshal Abubakar attempted to announce appearances for the defendant at the same time.

Abubakar maintained that he remained the counsel officially handling the matter from the previous adjourned date, while Balogun stated that he had been instructed by the defendant to lead the defence.

Presiding judge Joyce Abdulmalik then asked the defendant to clarify who was representing him, and Justice Crack identified Balogun as his lead counsel.

Following the development, Abubakar formally withdrew from the case along with all applications he had previously filed, including the pending bail request. As a result, the bail hearing could not proceed.

Balogun subsequently informed the court that he would submit a fresh bail application. Justice Abdulmalik later adjourned the matter until May 18 for hearing, while directing the prosecution to begin presenting its case on the next adjourned date or risk having the matter struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.