Alleged Cyber Crime on 3 count Charges why Justice Crack Remanded

追加: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]So Mark was arraigned by the DSS on a three-count charge bordering on the alleged circulation of false information and publication of materials capable of causing public unrest. However, his friends, supporters, and well-wishes went ahead with their planned protest, demanding his release and also occupying the Ministry of Justice.

[00:00:32]just >> So it was an eventful day yesterday. Uh in the morning you know we had covered the events the developments from the weekend and shortly after we went off air the arraignment took place as you can see the protest also took place and then later in the evening uh defense HQ published this editorial uh from a civil military expert. I I come to you because this is a fastmoving story. It's a fascinating story on justice justice crack and yesterday we had talked about the past and maybe that's why the military has come out to explain. I have an issue with some of the grounds given for that um almost sidelining or um you know making a case for who can talk about what affects every single Nigerian. I think that's important to mention. I understand military psychology but what we what the Justice Quack was doing was not to embarrass well it would embarrass it was not to just call out. It was an advocacy move.

[00:01:20]He was saying something is wrong. It's citizen active citizenship. So it's almost saying that you you can actively be a citizen in Nigeria, but your powers of that are limited as long as it doesn't offend certain sensibilities. I get where they talk about military psychology. But to be fair to Justice Quack and the way that they handle this matter, which was a bone of contention yesterday, if you have an issue with somebody, you can go through the, you know, legal process, take him to charge him to court, take him to court, and it's not the military's job to do that.

[00:01:45]It is a civil matter, so it should be having been the police that should have handled it. The military held him for 5 days. He had no contact. Nobody knew where he was until his family and friends came out to complain about it.

[00:01:54]So is this the mode of mo mode of operation of the military? Is this what Nigerians should expect? We talked about how there was a militar militarization in many areas and we're not under a military regime and so they should not you know take this hard stance when it comes to a citizen of Nigeria. That was the main call. So let's not move away from the issue. The court will determine whether or not you know Justice Quack is guilty or not based on the charges before him. And let me even look at the charges and thank you sh I went to look at section yes I meant to look at section 59 and 509 of the criminal um code Nigerian criminal code and one of it says publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public that you published the fact that soldiers are suffering that certain things are happening look at the state of our soldiers how is that going to cause fear and alarm to the public because even the military's statement or the civil military agent the editorial the editorial was based on the fact that was based on the psyche of the military men themselves but this particular law says to the public. How did that cause fear and alarm to the public? The only thing it raised was awareness and a call to responsibility by authorities to do right do the right thing. And I've said this again and again that a lot of times and the military is guilty of this. When a negative repage is put out, the first instinct knee-jerk reaction is either to deny without even an investigation instituted or to pick up the person that was that that put out the news. That is not how to build credible institutions.

[00:03:11]What we are asking for is accountability. What we're asking for is let it's actually in favor of the military men. Some of these military men who have suffered on end for so long are the ones that release this information for civilians to help them advocate their case. That was this what Justice Quack was doing. I hope the court process I want to see what the outcome of the court process would be because having looked at section 59 and I cannot see what he did wrong based on that and what the charges are. The court decides [laughter] I said I want to see what what the court will say. It's a matter of court but let's see what say but what I just want to say ending is that the military has or even institutions across Nigeria must not be intolerant to feedback. And this is the age of social media. We cannot only say that it's traditional media, TV shows and news that must take their stories. This is the age of social media and you have to recognize it. We're not living in the stone ages but what we're also asking that let justice be done for justice crack. Let them handle him. Did they assault him? Was he tortured? Should they have done that? What did he do to around that? That is what the call is for. Let us not distract matters. It is the way and manner in which this case was handled even if they felt agreed.

[00:04:06]>> I know everybody wants to. This is a big story. Uh should we go to revive and talk about we round up the story?

[00:04:10]>> Only story like I commented yesterday.

[00:04:12]This is the only story. Let's get into it. Let's get into it.

[00:04:13]>> Let's get into it. With due respect, whoever advised the military to do this, advised them wrongly. Dr. Bati used to talk about institutional memory, it's obvious the military doesn't have it.

[00:04:23]You see, these are the things that easily destroy the image of the military and they have just done it to themselves again.

[00:04:30]A man released a report, you have sent your people here in defense to come and defend the report.

[00:04:38]>> That's an interview. That's >> an interview. The day you came they brought in pictures of what's it called Malu who have food that they say are eating to enjoy themselves.

[00:04:49]>> Remember yeah >> yeah he was a retired general. Yeah he spoke for the military. You've put up a first line of defense.

[00:04:55]All right. You've had your right of reply.

[00:04:59]You would have just allowed that even if the right of reply I debunked them because I just asked one question. RCA is it 3,000 NRA or not? The general was struggling that day. Now you all saw it now. is water water free of charge.

[00:05:11]So after you have done that, you now went to pick up Justice Crack. You just made Justice Crack more popular. You impeached upon his rights and when people are now talking against the military saying they talking against them. The military will have just made his own case that he will look into the matter and keep quiet and move on.

[00:05:26]Secondly, you've now bundled him. You now have gone to charge in their statement before they said he was supporting subversion. Where's the subversion in the charge by we can't live in a country this way?

[00:05:36]That's why they were seen mutilating another cable journal. We do anything.

[00:05:40]That was how we revealed the story of a military officer, a portion of a major general that went all the way to harass somebody in Abuja. Today the military set up a not done anything. You see when we start to talk about the image of the military >> going decrep I was talking yesterday that we have no country people thought I was joking. Let me extend that conversation. Dr. Bati maybe now they can come and carry maybe your child or Dr. Bat's child or family member. Hey God forbid that be DR. HOW ABOUT HOW ABOUT the minute you coming TO CARRY [laughter] YOUR LOVELY WIFE LIKE that >> in the interest in the interesting >> Dr. or your children >> Dr. Is this fair this way now [laughter] Dr. your contribution. So I I I won't bring my children in speak for so you say go for but justice crack is not somebody's >> but I'm speaking up for him here Dr. Yes. Okay. Let me just add a number of caveats now. Why we have freedoms under the constitution? The right to free speech, freedom of expression under section 39, responsibility of the media under section 22, there's no right in the Nigerian constitution that is absolute. And that's why we often say whether you are acting as an advocate for a particular cause or as a professional journalist working within whatever frame the primary thing about intervention in the public space is about responsibility where that responsibility is violated there are clauses in the relevant laws that you can be called to account. The big argument of the defense headquarters is that uh justice uh GDB remark that he got information from some agreed soldiers about their feeding arrangements and he put that information out there and they say in their understanding of military psychology this can discourage the troops. It can cause mutiny. It can have implications for national security. Whether is the age of social media or the age of irresponsibility, you do not have right under the laws of Nigeria to incite either the troops or anybody to cause you know disturbance within the system.

[00:07:40]That's where they're coming from and they have a legitimate point there.

[00:07:43][snorts] One other thing they've done is that the soldiers they said they carried out in investigation. the soldiers who be tried under their you know military rules cut mash not civilians and that's why they said they are taking justice mark uh to the DSS which can handle civilian matters just like the police and that's why it was the DSS that took him to a civil court you know under the constitution now what now remains is for the court to ensure that justice gets justice by justice getting justice means that it must be treated fairly >> detaining him for more than 5 days before taking him to court is already a breach except they can't defend that.

[00:08:24]But it is the duty of a court to say whether he's guilty under the criminal code or not or whether he's guilty under the cyber crime act prevention and prohibition act of 2015. We had 2004 we had to 2015. So that's the job of the court. We cannot pronounce on that. But justice should be done. There should be fair hearing. the military can handle their own officers and and establish that okay they have violated you know rules of engagement. uh but that is that about that but we must know that whether you are the media or you are a citizen you know going on social media there must be responsibility there are no absolute rights under the constitution of Nigeria >> all right thank you so much for that I think it's it's an ongoing conversation controversial one as well especially about the limits of expressing oneself on social media just to balance it out in the recommendations from that civil expert in his editorial he'd also recommended for the establishment of a transparent fast welfare grievance mechanism a confident idential hotline with a rapid response team that visits units within 48 hours of a complaint within the military. I'm just putting it out there for balance but it doesn't work that the editorial itself [clears throat] you know was trying to prescribe some solutions. Uh we take one more story which is related to the military. A soldier assaulted Hola Fakojo assistant business editor with the cable over a remark on traffic obstruction around Iika in Lagos state.

[00:09:46]The incident occurred on Saturday May 2nd as Fakoyjo made his way to Oba from Eikeda inside a Kikap napep. In his account, Fakoyjo said he encountered some soldiers directing traffic off Ajawu road. Is reported that a soldier asked a driver to pull over and actually stand on top of a tricycle as punishment. Uh this further increased the gridlock on the road. The tricycle that Fakoy Jojo was was riding in got caught up in this traffic. So he was displeased and he told other passengers that the soldier was responsible for the standstill. And now this caused one of the soldiers to ask him to disembark before he was later slapped around uh and harassed as seen in this video. You can see his phone also fell due to the impact of one of the moments that he was hit. Uh several questions, you know, because I asked him, I did speak to this morning. I said, "Why are soldiers directing traffic?" And he says that well, he thinks there's an event center there. Sometimes there's gridlock, so he thinks they were probably attached to somebody in the event center to help and direct the flow of things. But it's still quite an abnormal situation. um he's in in good health. He didn't suffer any injuries. But just to highlight, so I want to move on to other stories, but just to continue to highlight that there's a there's a balance that we're missing here. Uh when the army is coming to try and uh build a positive image, win the hearts and minds of people, there are some incidents that are making that a difficult uh a difficult task for them.

[00:11:01]>> I think Fak should press for charges against the military.

[00:11:04]>> All right. Well, we're going to thank you. Thank you for that recommendation, Rafi. We're going to move on to the next story. We've got a lot to cover today.

[00:11:09]Let's take our attention to Edo state where tensions are running high in Egoma after gunman killed a fast food restaurant owner Justice also named Justice Oshok while attempting to kidnap him on his way home. Oshko who runs Principal Takeout was shot on Saturday evening after having left his restaurant's outlet in Idbo to restock on supplies. An eyewitness said that as the kidnappers tried to abduct him, he resisted which led to him getting shot on the spot. The news of his brutal killing was has flooded social media as people have juxtaposed Edo state governor Monday's recent comments that Edo is safe with the harsh reality on the ground. Let's take a look.

[00:11:43]>> We're trying to say that Edo state is safe.

[00:11:46]A state that is not safe, commerce will not never strive. So the first thing we should do we have done is to keep Edo safe by providing security and security gadgets for our people to work.

[00:11:58]>> Mr. Governor sir point of correction except EPA no be edo state except I would side not be ed state if those places are part of Edo state sorry to say sir Edo is not safe guy just like this one not just ordinary news or anything it's true and guy if you get your love student or no student just come like just don't make sense.

[00:12:31]Don't make sense anymore. I give him seat.

[00:12:34]>> So, uh, reports online say his killing happened hours before his child's dedication. Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, saying it was deeply saddened by the tragic murder of Justice Abu Oke, who was shot by unidentified armed men.

[00:12:47]While Governor Okolo has told security agencies to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice. And since then, several videos have emerged of people talking about the security situation in various areas in Ido, specifically EPMA. Um, and and it's just it's terrible. It's terribly sad to see, especially as the chief security officer of the state insists that the state is safe and that insecurity is fueled by uh opposition. Uh, Rafa, let me come to you.

[00:13:10]>> Okay, good. Wow. Me. Okay. [laughter] Oh, >> let me let me let me you you see the man that wants to get you see the one that wants to get 2.5 million votes for president inu and it is not today we've had this rampant incessant kidnapping across that belt in Edo states you remember the incident of the protest in Rome and what transpired around that time and the killings that happened around that time the question is what has Mr. people have been able to do about those circumstances and that's why you see why these politicians are so busy about politics rather than doing what they ought to do then it leaves much to be desired we've had constant issues around kidnapping constantly in that area those axis where you go out of b because I know most of those areas when you travel around those flanks it is always problematic what has he done to reduce the circumstances what has he done to reduce the incidents nothing >> no >> nothing leaves much should be desired.

[00:14:04]So we would like to call on Governor PBLO. I think it's best you focus on insecurity in your state and please do not tell us that oh it's the federal that supports security and no do not tell us that there are people that make security provisions locally.

[00:14:17]So focus on that and try as much as possible to get some level of reprieve in your states rather than this politician. You see our leaders get so caught up in politics rather than doing the work they ought to do.

[00:14:26]>> Absolutely. And and on that note let's go to politics. uh because >> just to say >> sure >> that I don't think that the governor has a blame in this matter. It's the job of political leaders to give the people hope. When the people complain that there are issues in the state, you have to reassure them and that in my view is what governor has tried to do to say we look at this matter state is safe and all of that. You don't expect that the governor of a state will go on television and tell people that oh my state is not safe. He will say well where there are incidents we will deal with those issues as the people have now come out to say in a in a there have been you know too many incidents of attacks. Now is for the security authorities not just the state but also the federal and the agencies in that state to address uh uh all of that. I mean nobody would want to live in a community uh where uh it is not safe.

[00:15:19]The restaurant tour uh Justin I think that is his name who was killed. There have been also many other cases like that across Nigeria. Kidnappers, killers, you know, attacking people. And that's why we keep saying that President Bameu must live up to his promise that this environment will be made safe for everybody. Whether you are in AI or you are in in Gumbay or you are in Maduguri, it remains a continuing problem and these issues come up again and again which should be a major campaign issue in this 2027 process. If you say you want a position as president or as whoever, we want to hear what will you do about poverty? What will you do about security? In other countries of the world when they have elections, there are campaign issues. Issue campaigns are driven by issues, not by consensus. And you think that it's your birthright because your father is a traditional ruler or your father is a friend of important personalities. This will be the uh you know bigger picture in terms of >> as you're talking about this >> that you said that the work the prime minister did as prime minister will not have an effect on him becoming governor in or your state where no we're not discussing say that the state has a responsibility we're talking principles so in one breath you're supporting this degrading of principles >> which degrading of principles have established that it was a law that went to kill people about based on the last thing you said just now. I understand you're talking about the greater we're going to the next conversation I'm discussing the responsibility of the state >> and I like the your last statements where you're talking about politicians who may feel that it's their birthday.

[00:16:56]So just like we said yesterday, nobody um now I love the points that Ay made a God bless you for this points that you have just dropped. You know we are not living in a stone age. This is the era of social media. And of course um the reason why many people now come up to social media is because this is where they easily find help. You know just like Rafi said yesterday that what has you know um Justice Krak did that a lot of soldiers haven't done before now and yet nothing is being done nothing is being changed there is what justice crack has done a lot of soldiers has done that complaining to the right authority you know opening up you know at the end of the day nothing is done we have an incident just like I mentioned yesterday as well where a soldier complain of them getting buying their kits themselves, you know, buying their, you know, and it's ridiculous. You now begin to ask some questions that where are all the funds being pumped into the military? So that's what we are talking about and this is the era of social media why many people come up to S media to talk is because this is where you know just to for people you know when you have talked and at the end of the day the go because government have formed death here you know to the masses to the people to the their subordinate their you know or what they are supposed to do they are formed death here you complain you write you do at the end of the day nothing happens If people who are in service come out to tell you what they are passing through, what they have written, they'll say right. Nobody, you write, you do this and what you wrote will be trashed. And you know, at the end of the day, nothing is going to happen. You hear people constantly coming out to say that we have written to the government, we have written to the minister, we have written this that.

[00:18:48]At the end of the day, nothing is being done. And the only now people now resort to you know coming out to social media to cry out and you see that the moment people now start crying and people start raising this awareness on social media at some point they start receiving help and then these people doesn't like it because it kind of exposes them and that is why they don't want people to come out to social media once you come out to social media to cry out on something instead of the e h affect affected organization to take responsibility. The next thing is that they will pick that person up. The next thing is that they will lock that person up. The next thing is that they will dismiss that person, you know. And this just like what we are talking about police brutality, military whatever, just like what we saw now, you know, assault and all of that on civilians. We have seen these cases severally. I you recall that people have been complaining of, you know, this checkpoint, they are not doing the work they supposed to do there. that checkpoint is a different thing. They are collecting, extorting people and all. Not until people started bringing evidences on social media and that is when you know it started reducing. So that's why a lot of persons have resorted to coming out to social media to cry out because they have talked they have done everything and it seems that hope is not coming. So ch should be given justice.