How suspect killed DSS operative, took his car, gifted phone to girlfriend – Witness

A Department of State Services (DSS) operative allegedly abducted and killed by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had his car taken by one of the defendants, who also allegedly gifted his phone to his girlfriend, a Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Wednesday.

A DSS investigator, testifying as a prosecution witness under the code name AAA, said Michael Okafor, one of the four defendants standing trial over the killing of Ekpenyong Owoh, converted the operative’s Toyota Pontiac to his personal use after the alleged murder.

The witness further alleged that Okafor handed Owoh’s phone to his girlfriend, Chinyere Okabue, as a gift.

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

The investigator, who said he had served in the DSS for about 17 years, testified as the first prosecution witness in the trial of Okafor, Chinedu Chukwudozie, Chibunna Olisa and Chigozie Olisa.

The defendants were arraigned on September 28 on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and kidnapping. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism, abducted Owoh while he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State, and subsequently killed him.

They were also accused of belonging to the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as unlawfully possessing firearms, including an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Munirat Oladunjoye, AAA narrated how the DSS traced Owoh’s last movements after his wife reported him missing in February 2022.

He said a technical analysis of the operative’s movements revealed that he was last seen alive in Osomogu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where his Toyota Pontiac was also traced.

According to the witness, the DSS collaborated with the military during the investigation because the area was an IPOB and ESN stronghold.

He said the operation led to the arrest of Okabue on June 20, 2026, which subsequently helped investigators track down the defendants.

AAA said Okafor was arrested on September 14, while the other three defendants were apprehended on September 20.

Recounting the alleged killing, the witness said Owoh had called his wife on February 23, 2022, informing her that he would be returning home to see their newborn baby.

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

The witness said Chibunna Olisa drove Owoh’s vehicle to the camp, where the operative was held until a sub-commander identified as Double Lion allegedly directed Okafor to kill him.

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

He added that the defendants had marks identified as ESN insignia on their bodies, allegedly given to them as a sign of protection.

The judge subsequently directed the defendants to step forward and expose the marks for inspection, with the witness and defence lawyers, K.C. Ekwe and G.U. Oputa, confirming their presence.

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AAA further told the court that Okafor travelled to Côte d’Ivoire and later India, where he allegedly became involved in criminal activities and was deported around 2024.

He said Okafor returned to Nigeria, kept a low profile and worked as a bricklayer in Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area, before his arrest.

The witness also said the defendants voluntarily made statements in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

He said they were informed of their right to remain silent and that anything they said could be used against them in court.

The statements were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits after the defence lawyers raised no objection.

The judge adjourned the case until November 16 for the cross-examination of AAA in the trial-within-trial and the continuation of proceedings.

She warned that the defence lawyers risked losing their right to cross-examine the witness if they failed to appear.