An Abuja based lawyer and
democracy activist Marshall Abubakar has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the release of a human rights activist, social commentator, critique Comrade Mark Chidiebere also known as JUSTICE CRACK “their client” whose disappearance has become of public concern since April 28, 2026.
Abubakar stated this in an open letter to President Tinubu, that comrade Mark Chidiebere disappearance was “an act executed by State Actors identified as officers of the Nigerian Army on April 28,2026.”
He wrote in the letter as follows:”The brief of our clients is as accentuated below;
Our client is a human rights activist, social commentator, critique, businessman and a patriotic Nigerian citizen.
“On Tuesday 28th April, 2026, our Client (Comrade Justice-Crack) and his wife, Mrs. Theresa Chidera Frank left their abode at about 6. 40 am to attend to their daily routine.
“Our client had dropped his wife off at an event in Abuja and the last time he spoke with her on the phone on that fateful day was at about 8.30 a.m.
“Your Excellency, our client; Justice Crack was last seen around noon on Tuesday April 28, 2026 at the NAOWA Shopping Complex, Asokoro, Abuja where he was invited for a meeting by
military intelligence officers and his vehicle is currently parked at a military facility in Abuja.
“As a social critic, Justice Crack has been vehement in critiquing the poor welfare, feeding and poor treatment of soldiers in the country including a recent expose on an incident in Dei-Dei,
Abuja involving the brutal murder of a Youth Corps member; Abudulsamad Jamiu by military
officers.
“Despite repeated call for his release, the military authorities (Army) responsible for this heinous,
state- actors perpetrated enforced disappearance has refused to yield and have failed to grant him access to his wife, children, friends, associates, Attorney, medical doctor.
“Your Excellency, enforced disappearance is a heinous crime violation of Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act, Cap A10, LFN), the Violence Against Person Act,
2015, the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 and several other legislations your Excellency solemnly swore
to uphold.
“Though legislations like the 1999 Constitution as amended, the African Charter (Ratification and
Enforcement Act Cap A10,LFN), the violence Against Persons Act, 2015 and the Anti- Torture
Act, 2017 contain provisions that prohibit and penalizes forced disappearance (s).
“We note with despondency the refusal of the Country to ratify and domesticate the International Convention
for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance which was adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2006, and entering into for on December 23, 2010
despite the rising cases of enforced disappearance in the Country particularly enforced disappearance by state actors like the Department of State Security Services and others.
“We urge your Excellency to prioritize the ratification and domestication of this crucial international human rights instrument as a specific piece of legislation aimed at preventing andcombating enforced disappearance and which places an obligation on states to investigate acts of enforced disappearance and to bring those responsible to justice.
“The Convention also
recognizes the right of families to know the truth regarding the circumstances and fate of the
disappeared person, as well as the right of victims to reparation for the wrong done to them.
“As a veteran pro- democracy activist, your Excellency would agree with us that free speech, includes
the right to speak the uncomfortable truth to those in authority and such fundamental rights should
never be criminalized.
“With the aid of hindsight, your Excellency would recall that on or about the 30th day of May, 1994 your
Excellency and other pro-democracy activists had issued a Press Statement declaring the Federal
Government, under General Sanni Abacha illegal. Your Excellency and five other pro-democracy activists were later arraigned for treason. Despite the enormity of the allegations and actions complained of, Nigerians rallied round you and secured your release alongside the other activists.
“Your Excellency would agree with us that actions and events like the above highlighted incident were
the signposts signaling your ascension to the Presidency your Excellency currently enjoy.
“In view of your Excellency’s authority as the grand Commander and embodiment ,of the Country’s executive powers, and in view of your Excellency’s avowed commitment to the protection of lives and
and properties of Nigerians, we respectfully urge your Excellency to direct the military authorities
through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to mandate and secure the immediate
release of COMRADE MARK CHIDIEBERE also known as JUSTICE CRACK and ensure his reunion
with his young wife and two young children.
“Whilst expressing our firm believe that your Excellency would employ the instrumentalities of your
good offices to ensure the release of our client forthwith, please accept, dear Asiwaju, our esteem
professional regards, always,” Abubakar stated.