DSS Witness Testifies Against Alleged Blackmailer of EFCC Boss
A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Adams, has told the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, was allegedly blackmailed by a defendant through a Facebook post.
Adams, who serves in the DSS’s Economic Intelligence and Investigation Department, said this information was obtained after his team examined the defendant’s phone and Facebook page during an investigation.
The witness said the probe uncovered videos in which Moses Oddiri accused the EFCC Chairman of intercepting and misappropriating N4 billion released by Heritage Operational Services Limited for the Orogun Community in Delta State.
Adams, who testified as the first prosecution witness before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, said the EFCC had petitioned the DSS on September 23, 2025, alleging that Oddiri circulated false claims online that the commission’s Chairman had embezzled the funds.
“Based on this, my director instructed me and my team to investigate the matter,” Adams said. He added that Oddiri was arrested on November 10, 2025, in Lagos and brought to the DSS office for an interview, which was audio-visually recorded in the presence of a legal aid counsel.
The witness said the investigation involved downloading videos from the defendant’s Facebook page, requesting receipts and bank statements from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank, and obtaining incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission for community development entities, including the Orogun Kingdom Community Trust registered by Oddiri.
Adams also revealed that the DSS obtained letters from the EFCC and its counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), admonishing the defendant and requesting a retraction of the allegations, as well as a petition Oddiri had sent to the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.
He added that the DSS submitted a preliminary report to their superior, filed a certificate of compliance, and requested further information from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel C.S. Orubor said the trial was ready to commence and the witness was present in court. Defence counsel M. Adeniran, however, objected, saying he had no access to his client, who had been in DSS custody.
“My lord, it’s a criminal trial and he has been in detention. He has not been able to brief us on his defence,” Adeniran said. The defendant also told the court that he did not know the facts of the case.
Orubor countered, insisting that all relevant materials had been served to the defence. Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the trial should proceed, but adjourned the matter to March 13 for continuation of the trial and hearing of the bail application.
Oddiri faces a two-count charge under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
