A prosecution witness from Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja how operatives analysed the phone and Facebook account of human rights lawyer, Moses Oddiri Esq., over alleged defamatory posts targeting the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede.
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The witness, Yusuf Adams, who said he is attached to the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Department of the DSS, testified before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik as the first prosecution witness in the trial, according to The PUNCH.
Adams told the court that the agency commenced investigation after receiving a petition from the EFCC on September 23, 2025.
The anti-graft agency had alleged that Oddiri circulated false claims on social media accusing its chairman of embezzling over ₦4 billion in royalties released by Heritage Operational Services Limited in favour of the Orogun Community in Delta State.
He disclosed that Oddiri was arrested in Lagos on November 10, 2025, and brought to the DSS office where he was interviewed. According to him, the session was audio-visually recorded in the presence of a legal aid counsel, and the defendant made a statement under caution.
Adams further testified that investigators examined the defendant’s Facebook page and downloaded several videos in which he allegedly accused Olukoyede of intercepting and stealing the ₦4 billion royalty payment meant for the Orogun Community.
The court heard that the DSS also requested bank documents and incorporation records from the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to community development entities operating OML 30 in Delta State.
The witness added that investigators obtained a copy of a letter of admonishment from the EFCC in response to an earlier petition the defendant had addressed to the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office, accusing the EFCC chairman of financial misconduct.
He said the service also reviewed a letter written by Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel to the EFCC chairman, demanding a retraction of the allegations.
“We thereafter submitted a preliminary report to our superior,” Adams told the court, adding that the DSS subsequently sought further clarification from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Earlier, prosecution counsel, C.S. Orubor, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for commencement of trial and hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
“We are ready to proceed and our witness is in court,” Orubor said.
The defence counsel, M. Adeniran, objected to the commencement of trial, arguing that he had been denied access to his client, who he said remained in DSS custody.
“The defendant has been in detention and we have not had access to him to enable him brief us properly,” Adeniran told the court, insisting that proceeding with trial would prejudice the defence.
The defendant also told the court that his counsel had not been fully briefed on the facts of the case. But the prosecution dismissed the objection, maintaining that all materials intended to be relied upon had been duly served on the defence.
“It is unfortunate that my learned friend is trying to mislead the court. He has been fully served with all the materials the prosecution intends to rely on,” Orubor argued.
After confirming that the defence had been served with the charge, Justice Abdulmalik directed that trial should commence. The court subsequently adjourned the matter till March 13, 2026, for continuation of trial and hearing of the bail application.
Oddiri was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In the first count, the prosecution alleged that on September 17, 2025, at Surulere, Lagos, the defendant used his Facebook handle, “Moses Oddiri,” to publish a post accusing the EFCC chairman of stealing over ₦4 billion belonging to the Orogun oil-producing community.
The second count relates to an alleged letter sent in October 2025 accusing the EFCC chairman and the Managing Director of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited of conspiring to divert the funds.
The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2024.
Last week, SaharaReporters reported that Oddiri openly protested in Abuja on Thursday, accusing the DSS Director-General and EFCC Chairman Olukoyede of conspiring against him and attempting to kill him after he spent 101 days in custody.
The lawyer was arrested by DSS operatives at his home around 10 p.m. on November 10, 2025, when armed officers stormed his residence, broke the padlocks, and forced their way into his bedroom as his 17-year-old son and daughter watched in fear.
The arrest was allegedly carried out following a petition submitted by Olukoyede.
Oddiri was secretly transferred from Lagos to the DSS Abuja office without his family or lawyer being notified.
He made his protest from the dock after pleading not guilty to a two-count charge of cyberstalking and cyberbullying, filed against him by Olukoyede.
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