Witness tells courtroom how suspect allegedly murdered DSS operative, took his automobile and gave telephone to girlfriend

A Department of State Services (DSS) witness has advised a federal High Court in Abuja that Michael Okafor, a suspect standing trial over the homicide of the company’s operative, Ekpenyong Asuquo Owoh, took the deceased automobile and gave his telephone to his girlfriend.

At the resumed listening to on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the witness, recognized by the code title AAA for safety causes, mentioned Okafor transformed Owoh’s Toyota Pontiac to his private use after the operative was murdered.

He additionally alleged that Okafor gave Owoh’s telephone to his girlfriend, Chinyere Okabue, as a present.

“When we found out that the lady did not know anything about our personnel’s abduction, we granted her administrative bail,” he advised the courtroom.

AAA, a DSS investigator who mentioned he had labored with the company for about 17 years, testified as the primary prosecution witness within the trial of Okafor, Chinedu Chukwudozie, Chibunna Olisa and Chigozie Olisa.

The defendants have been arraigned on September 28 on a six-count cost bordering on terrorism and kidnapping. They pleaded not responsible.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism, kidnapped Owoh whereas he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to Awka, Anambra state, and subsequently murdered him.

They have been additionally accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in addition to unlawfully possessing firearms, together with an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

Led in proof by Munirat Oladunjoye, prosecution counsel, AAA narrated how the DSS traced Owoh’s final actions after his spouse reported him lacking in February 2022.

He mentioned a technical evaluation of the operative’s actions confirmed that he was final seen alive in Osomogu, Ihiala LGA of Anambra state. His Toyota Pontiac was additionally traced to the neighborhood.

According to the witness, the DSS labored with the navy as a result of the world was an IPOB and ESN stronghold.

He mentioned the operation led to the arrest of 1 Okabue on June 20, 2026, which subsequently helped investigators monitor down the 4 defendants.

AAA mentioned Okafor was arrested on September 14, whereas the opposite three defendants have been apprehended on September 20.

Recounting the alleged homicide, the witness mentioned Owoh had referred to as his spouse on February 23, 2022, to tell her that he could be returning dwelling to see their new child child.

He alleged that Okafor, whom he described as an ESN sub-commander, and the opposite defendants intercepted Owoh and took him to their camp.

The witness mentioned Chibunna Olisa drove Owoh’s car to the camp, the place the operative was held till a sub-commander recognized as Double Lion allegedly directed Okafor to kill him.

“He was shot several times and buried in a shallow grave,” AAA advised the courtroom.

He added that the 4 defendants had marks recognized as ESN insignia on their our bodies, allegedly given to them as an indication of safety.

The decide subsequently directed the defendants to step ahead and expose the marks for inspection. The witness and defence legal professionals, Okay.C. Ekwe and G.U. Oputa, confirmed that the marks have been current.

AAA additional advised the courtroom that Okafor travelled to Côte d’Ivoire and later India, the place he allegedly turned concerned in prison actions and was deported round 2024.

He mentioned Okafor returned to Nigeria, saved a low profile and labored as a bricklayer in Azia, Ihiala LGA, earlier than his arrest.

The witness additionally mentioned the defendants voluntarily made statements within the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

He mentioned they have been knowledgeable of their proper to stay silent and that something they mentioned may very well be used in opposition to them in courtroom.

The statements have been admitted in proof and marked as displays after the defence legal professionals didn’t increase objection.

The decide adjourned the case till November 16 for the cross-examination of AAA within the trial-within-trial and the continuation of proceedings.

She warned that the defence legal professionals risked having their proper to cross-examine the witness foreclosed in the event that they failed to seem.