A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million to prominent civic activist, Comrade Jude “Justice Crack” Idowu, following his arraignment on charges bordering on public disturbance, cyber-stalking, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
Delivering his ruling on the bail application on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice Benson Alao, stated that the offenses leveled against the defendant are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. He emphasized that the primary purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant stands trial, rather than to serve as a punitive measure before a definitive verdict is reached.
The Bail Conditions
While acceding to the request of the defense counsel, the court imposed a stringent set of conditions to ensure the activist’s compliance throughout the duration of the judicial process.
The conditions outlined by Justice Alao include:
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Monetary Sum: A bail bond of ₦5,000,000 with two sureties in like sum.
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Surety Requirements: The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 12, residing within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who must provide proof of tax clearance for the last three fiscal years.
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Travel Restrictions: The defendant must surrender his international passport to the registrar of the court and is prohibited from traveling outside the country without explicit judicial clearance.
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Public Restraint: In a notable addition, the court ordered the defendant to refrain from organizing or participating in any public rallies or mass gatherings until the determination of the substantive suit.
Arguments from the Bar
Earlier in the proceedings, the lead defense counsel, Femi Falana SAN (represented by Chief Kayode Ajulo), had pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. He argued that Comrade Idowu is a well-known human rights defender with deep roots in the community, making him a zero-flight-risk individual. The defense further contended that the activist’s health had deteriorated significantly during his five-day stay in the custody of the Nigerian Police Force’s State Intelligence Department (SID).
“The constitution presumes my client innocent until proven guilty,” Ajulo submitted to the court. “He has consistently made himself available to law enforcement when invited, and denying him bail would amount to a premature imprisonment based on mere allegations.”
Contrarily, the prosecution counsel, representing the Inspector General of Police, vehemently opposed the bail application. The state argued that “Justice Crack” possesses a massive social media following and a documented history of mobilizing volatile public demonstrations. The prosecution expressed concerns that if released, the defendant would likely utilize his freedom to interfere with state witnesses and escalate ongoing civil agitations in the capital.
Post-Ruling Logistics
Following the reading of the ruling, family members and civil society allies who had packed the courtroom expressed visible relief, though tinged with anxiety over the demanding nature of the surety verification process.
The court adjourned the matter until June 24, 2026, for the commencement of the definitive trial. Until the bail conditions are fully met and verified by the court registry, Comrade Idowu will remain remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
