DSS Operative Testifies in Trial of Man Accused of Threatening Abuja Schools

A Department of State Services operative told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday how the agency tracked and arrested a man accused of sending death threats to three elite schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

The witness, Michael Jego, said the DSS received petitions in 2024 from Premier International School, The Regent Secondary School, and Oakland International British School. The messages allegedly threatened to kill students and teachers and destroy property.

Jego testified that a Techno Android phone believed to have been used to send the threats was recovered from the defendant, John Agbo.

Agbo was arraigned on March 17 on two counts under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act and the Cybercrimes Act.

The DSS alleged that the defendant used multiple phone numbers to send messages claiming he could attack the schools in less than a minute.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Dr Calistus Eze, the witness said forensic analysis led to Agbo’s arrest in Otukpo, Benue State. A mobile phone and SIM card were recovered at the scene.

Jego added that the suspect was brought to Abuja, where he made a statement in the presence of a Legal Aid Council lawyer.

The prosecution tendered the recovered phone, school petitions, a compact disc of the defendant’s interview, and his extra-judicial statement as evidence. Defence counsel Hamza Dantani did not object.

Although Agbo admitted familiarity with the phone, he denied owning it.

Under cross-examination, Jego conceded that the petitions did not name the defendant and that the complainants provided the phone numbers and messages. However, he maintained that Agbo admitted to being part of those who composed the threats and was arrested with the phone.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the trial until May 12 for further hearing.