Yusuf Adams, an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), appeared before the federal high court in Abuja in the ongoing trial of Moses Oddiri, an activist, over alleged cyberbullying.
Oddiri is facing a two-count charge of publishing false information against Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The DSS alleged that the activist posted a false message on Facebook alleging that the EFCC chairman stole the N4 billion royalty fund meant for the Orogun community in Delta, paid by Heritage Operational Services Limited for OML 30.
Adams, attached to the DSS economic intelligence and investigation department, presented his testimony on Wednesday as the first prosecution witness.
THE TESTIMONY
Led in evidence by C.S. Orubor, the DSS counsel, Adams said his office received a petition from the EFCC, alleging that the activist published and circulated false allegations against Olukoyede via social media.
The DSS official said Oddiri alleged that Olukoyede embezzled over N4 billion in royalties released by Heritage Operational Services Limited in favour of the Orogun community.
The witness said Oddiri was arrested on November 10, 2025, in Lagos and brought to the DSS office for an interview.
According to him, videos showing the defendant making the allegations were discovered during a search of his phone and Facebook page.
Adams added that the investigation team downloaded several videos where the activist was accusing the EFCC chairman of stealing the N4 billion royalty payment meant for the Orogun community.
He said the team requested receipts, bank statements from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank, as well as incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) relating to community development entities operating OML 30 in Delta state, including the Orogun Kingdom Community Trust registered by the defendant.
“We also obtained copies of a letter of admonishment from the EFCC to a petition submitted by the defendant to the commission,” the DSS witness said.
“The petition was written by the defendant, accused the EFCC chairman, and was addressed to the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom, and a letter was written by Wahab Shittu, SAN, counsel to the EFCC chairman, requesting the defendant to retract the allegation.
“We thereafter submitted a preliminary report to our superior.
“My lord, we filed a certificate of compliance. Based on the recommendation of the preliminary report, we also requested information from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the industry regulator for the petroleum industry.”
THE OBJECTIONS
Earlier in the proceedings, Orubor told the court that the matter was slated for the commencement of trial and consideration of the bail application.
Responding, M. Adeniran, Oddiri’s counsel, objected to the commencement of trial, noting that he had no access to his client in the DSS custody.
“My lord, it’s a criminal trial, and he has been in detention and has not been able to brief us. The DSS didn’t oblige us to see him,” Adeniran said.
“He has not been able to brief us on his defence. I am in court today, but I don’t know what the matter is all about because I don’t have access to the defendant to brief me.”
Also speaking, the Oddiri told the court that his lawyer had not been briefed about the facts of the case.
Countering the arguments, the DSS counsel said all relevant material had been duly served.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, ruled that the trial should proceed after confirming that the defence was served.
The case was adjourned to March 13 for continuation of trial and hearing of bail application.
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