DSS Witness Tells Court How Suspect Allegedly Killed Operative, Took His Car

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how a suspect, Michael Okafor, allegedly participated in the killing of the agency’s operative, Ekpenyong Owoh, before taking his vehicle and handing his phone to his girlfriend.

The witness, identified only by the code name AAA for security reasons, gave the account on Wednesday while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the trial of four defendants accused of terrorism, kidnapping and murder.

According to a report by The Punch newspaper, he alleged that after Owoh was killed, Okafor took possession of his Toyota Pontiac and began using it as his personal vehicle. He also reportedly gave the deceased’s mobile phone to his girlfriend, Chinyere Okabue, as a gift.

The witness, a DSS investigator with about 17 years of service, said the agency granted Okabue administrative bail after establishing that she was unaware of the abduction of its operative.

Okafor is standing trial alongside Chinedu Chukwudozie, Chibunna Olisa and Chigozie Olisa. They were arraigned on September 28 on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and kidnapping, to which they all pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism, abducting Owoh while he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State, and subsequently killing him.

They were also accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (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.

How DSS tracked the deceased’s movements

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Munirat Oladunjoye, AAA said the DSS began investigating Owoh’s disappearance after his wife reported him missing in February 2022.

He told the court that technical analysis of the operative’s movements indicated that he was last seen alive in Osomogu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. His Toyota Pontiac was also traced to the same community.

According to him, the DSS collaborated with the military to conduct operations in the area because it was considered a stronghold of IPOB and ESN.

The witness said the operation resulted in the arrest of one Okabue on June 20, 2026, and information obtained during the investigation subsequently helped security operatives track down the four defendants.

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

Suspect allegedly ordered to execute DSS operative

Recounting how the killing allegedly occurred, AAA said Owoh had spoken with his wife on February 23, 2022, informing her that he was returning home to see their newborn baby.

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

He further told the court that Chibunna Olisa drove Owoh’s vehicle to the camp, where the victim was held until a sub-commander identified as Double Lion allegedly instructed Okafor to kill him.

According to the witness, Owoh was shot several times before his body was buried in a shallow grave.

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

The investigator also alleged that the defendants had marks bearing ESN insignia on their bodies, which he said were given to them as a form of protection.

Following the testimony, the presiding judge directed the defendants to step forward and expose the marks for inspection. The witness and defence lawyers, K.C. Ekwe and G.U. Oputa, confirmed their presence.

Witness narrates Okafor’s movements abroad

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

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

The witness also stated that all four defendants made statements voluntarily in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

According to him, they were informed of their right to remain silent and warned that any statement they made could be used as evidence against them.

The statements were admitted as exhibits after the defence lawyers raised no objection to their admission.

The court adjourned the matter until November 16 for the cross-examination of the witness during the trial-within-trial and the continuation of proceedings.

The judge also cautioned the defence lawyers that failure to appear could result in their right to cross-examine the witness being forfeited.