A prosecution witness from the Department of State Services on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how investigators analysed the phone and Facebook account of Moses Oddiri over alleged defamatory posts against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
The witness Yusuf Adams, who identified himself as a DSS officer attached to the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Department, testified before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik as the first prosecution witness.
Mr. Adams said the DSS received a petition from the EFCC on September 23, 2025, alleging that Mr. Oddiri published claims on social media that Chairman Olukoyede embezzled over N4 billion in royalties released by Heritage Operational Services Limited for the Orogun Community in Delta State.
“Based on this, my director instructed my team and me to investigate the matter,” he said.
He told the court that Oddiri was arrested in Lagos on November 10, 2025 and brought to the DSS office for an interview.
He said the session was recorded in the presence of a legal aid counsel and that the defendant made a statement under caution.
According to Adams, investigators examined the defendant’s Facebook page and downloaded videos in which he accused the EFCC chairman of intercepting and stealing the N4 billion royalty payment meant for the Orogun Community.
He said the team also requested bank documents and incorporation records from the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to entities operating OML 30 in Delta State.
He added that the DSS obtained copies of a letter of admonishment from the EFCC in response to a petition earlier submitted by the defendant to the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom, as well as a letter written by Wahab Shittu, counsel to the EFCC chairman, demanding a retraction.
Adams said a preliminary report was submitted to his superior and that further information was requested from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Earlier, prosecution counsel C.S. Orubor informed the court that the matter was for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.
“We are ready to proceed and our witness is in court,” he said.
Defence counsel M. Adeniran objected, arguing that he had no 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,” Counsel Adeniran said, adding that proceeding with the trial would prejudice his client.
The defendant also told the court that his counsel had not been adequately briefed.
Orubor opposed the objection, stating that all relevant materials had been served on the defence.
After confirming that the charge had been served and endorsed, Justice Abdulmalik directed that the trial should commence.
The case was adjourned to March 13, for continuation of the trial and hearing of the bail application.
Oddiri was arraigned on a two-count charge under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The prosecution alleged that on September 17, 2025, in Surulere, Lagos State, he used his Facebook handle to publish a post accusing the EFCC chairman of diverting over N4 billion belonging to the Orogun 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 steal the funds.
