Abuja Court Remands DSS Terror Suspect, Rejects Bail Request

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to John Jude Agbo, a man arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged plot to carry out coordinated attacks on schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling after the prosecution called its fourth witness and formally closed its case against the defendant.

Agbo is standing trial on charges bordering on terrorism and cybercrime, with prosecutors alleging that he planned attacks targeting schools, students, and teachers in the FCT.

In rejecting the bail application, the judge ruled that the defence failed to provide sufficient assurance that the defendant would not abscond if released. She subsequently ordered that Agbo remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) pending the conclusion of the trial.

During the proceedings, a DSS operative testified that investigators uncovered evidence linking Agbo and his alleged associates to threats sent to several schools. According to the witness, the messages demanded large sums of money to be dropped at designated locations, failing which the schools would face multiple attacks.

The prosecution also tendered an audio-video recording of Agbo’s interview with DSS investigators. The court admitted the recording into evidence and played it in open court before the prosecution closed its case.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until September 24, when the defendant is expected to begin presenting his defence.