“Court Denies Bail To Man Accused Of Plotting Attacks On FCT Schools” — SSS Closes Case, Tender Audio-Visual Interview Evidence

The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to John Jude Agbo, a man arrested by the Department of State Services over allegations that he planned multiple attacks on schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

Agbo is standing trial on terrorism and cybercrime charges over alleged plans to attack schools, students and teachers in the FCT.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik refused the defendant’s bail application after the prosecution presented its fourth witness and formally closed its case.

In ruling on the bail application, the judge held that there was no evidence before the court showing that Agbo would not jump bail if released.

The court consequently ordered that he be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Earlier in the proceedings, a DSS officer testified as the fourth prosecution witness and told the court how his team investigated Agbo and some of his alleged collaborators.

The witness said the investigation included analysing messages allegedly sent to schools marked for attack, in which the suspects allegedly demanded that huge sums of money be dropped at specified locations to avoid the planned attacks.

The DSS officer also tendered an audio-visual recording of Agbo’s interview session with investigators.

The recording was admitted in evidence and played in open court.

After the evidence of the fourth witness, the prosecution closed its case against the defendant.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to September 24, 2026, for Agbo to open his defence.

Agbo has not been convicted of the allegations.