Threats Against Abuja Schools Lead to Arrest
A Federal High Court in Abuja recently reviewed the case involving a man accused of sending threatening messages to elite schools in the capital city. On Friday, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed how they tracked down the suspect, who allegedly threatened the lives of students and teachers.
Details of the Threats Uncovered in Court
DSS official Michael Jego testified as the first prosecution witness during the trial of John Jude Agbo. He disclosed that in 2024, the agency received petitions from three Abuja schools reporting menacing text messages sent from multiple phone numbers. These messages reportedly included threats to kill students and teachers, as well as intentions to damage school property.
Allegations and Charges Against the Defendant
Agbo, who faces serious charges under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, was indicted on March 17. The case is marked as FHC/ABJ/CR/06/2026. The DSS identified four mobile numbers linked to the threatening communications: 08124412783, 08069781274, 08105715028, and 09139681108, specifically used to contact Premier International School, Regent Secondary School, and Auckland International British School.
Technical Evidence and Investigation Process
During his testimony, Jego mentioned that agents had recovered a Techno Android mobile phone believed to have been used by Agbo to send the threats. He further explained that his team conducted a forensic investigation following a petition from Auckland International School on November 28, 2024. The process culminated in Agbo’s arrest in Otukpo, Benue State, where the mobile device and SIM card were seized.
Proceedings and Admission of Evidence
Once in custody, Agbo was taken to Abuja for further questioning, where he provided a voluntary statement, assisted by lawyers from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACN). The prosecution presented various pieces of evidence to the court, including the recovered mobile phone, a petition from one of the schools, an audiovisual recording of Agbo’s interview, and his extrajudicial statement. All submitted documents were admitted by the court without objection from the defense.
Defense’s Argument and Cross-Examination
While Agbo acknowledged familiarity with Techno mobile phones, he denied ownership of the device in question. During cross-examination, Jego clarified that the petitions received did not name any defendants, and the phone numbers used were provided by the complainants, along with the threatening text messages. Although Jego could not definitively confirm the phone’s ownership, he stated that Agbo had admitted involvement in crafting the threatening messages.
Adjournment and Next Steps in the Trial
The prosecution’s attorney, Dr. Callistas Eze, requested an adjournment to present additional witnesses and evidence. The defense, represented by Hamza Dantani, did not oppose this motion. Subsequently, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the trial until May 12 for further proceedings.
