DSS Testifies on Arrest of Man Accused of Threatening Abuja Schools
The Department of State Services (DSS) provided detailed testimony in a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, explaining how operatives tracked and arrested a man accused of sending threatening messages to schools in the Federal Capital Territory. This case highlights the agency's efforts to combat terrorism and cybercrime in Nigeria.
Court Proceedings and Charges
An operative of the DSS, Michael Jego, served as the first prosecution witness in the trial of John Jude Agbo. Agbo faces a two-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. He was arraigned on March 17 in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/06/2026, with the prosecution alleging he used multiple GSM numbers to send threatening SMS messages to schools, including Premier International School, The Regent Secondary School, and Oakland International British School.
According to Jego, the DSS received petitions from these three Abuja-based schools in 2024. The messages contained explicit threats to kill students and teachers and destroy property within minutes, prompting a swift investigation. Led by prosecution counsel Dr. Calistus Eze, Jego testified that his team was directed to investigate a petition from Oakland International School received on November 28, 2024.
Investigation and Arrest Details
The investigation involved the use of advanced forensic tools, which enabled the DSS to trace the source of the threats. This led to the arrest of the defendant in Otukpo, Benue State. At the time of arrest, a mobile phone and SIM card were recovered from him. Jego further stated that the defendant was subsequently brought to Abuja, where he made a statement in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
During the trial, the prosecution tendered several exhibits, including the recovered Tecno Android phone, petitions from the affected schools, a compact disc containing audio-visual recordings of the defendant's interview, and his extra-judicial statement. The court admitted all exhibits without objection from defence counsel Hamza Dantani, although the defendant acknowledged familiarity with the phone but denied ownership.
Cross-Examination and Legal Proceedings
In cross-examination, Jego admitted that the petitions did not mention the defendant by name and that the phone numbers used to send the messages were provided by the complainants. He also noted he could not independently confirm ownership of the numbers but emphasized that the defendant admitted involvement in composing the threatening messages. This admission played a crucial role in the prosecution's case.
At the end of the proceedings, the prosecution sought an adjournment to call additional witnesses and present further evidence, a request not opposed by the defence. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until May 12 for continuation of trial, underscoring the ongoing legal process to address such security threats.
This case underscores the importance of cybersecurity and anti-terrorism measures in protecting educational institutions and public safety in Nigeria.
