The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday adjourned the trial of Moses Oddiri, who is accused of making allegations of a ₦4 billion fraud against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to March 25 for continuation of hearing.
The trial judge, Justice Abdulmalik, granted the adjournment following an application by the defendant’s newly engaged counsel, Mr. Godwin Ogboji, SAN, who informed the court that he had only recently been briefed and required time to study the case file. Counsel further told the court that he was yet to meet with his client, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), and sought permission to have access to him.
In response, the court directed the defence counsel to formally apply to the security agency for access, while also ordering the DSS to grant the lawyer the necessary opportunity to meet with his client. Counsel to the prosecution, Mr. E. G. Orubor, did not oppose the application for adjournment, following which the court fixed March 25 for continuation of trial.
At the previous sitting, the first prosecution witness, Yusuf Adams, an operative of the DSS, had testified on the outcome of investigations conducted into the matter. The witness told the court that he examined the defendant’s mobile phone and Facebook account, where he discovered videos in which Oddiri allegedly accused the EFCC Chairman of diverting ₦4 billion said to have been released by Heritage Operational Services Limited for the benefit of the Orogun Community in Delta State.
Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Adams stated that the investigative team obtained documentary materials, including bank statements from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank, as well as incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to community development entities linked to OML 30 operations, including the Orogun Kingdom Community Trust associated with the defendant.
He further testified that the team retrieved correspondence relating to the allegations, including a petition authored by the defendant and addressed to the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office, as well as a letter from Mr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, counsel to the EFCC Chairman, demanding a retraction of the claims. According to the witness, the investigative team subsequently submitted a preliminary report to its superiors.
Oddiri was earlier arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime offences under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. The prosecution alleges that on or about September 17, 2025, in Surulere, Lagos State, the defendant used his Facebook account to publish a message accusing the EFCC Chairman of misappropriating over ₦4 billion belonging to the Orogun oil-producing community.
The prosecution maintains that the publication was false and was made with intent to cause annoyance, insult, and injury to the person of the EFCC Chairman, thereby constituting an offence punishable under the relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
