An Imo State High Court has ordered the speedy trial of five persons accused of kidnapping prospective National Youth Service Corps members, directing that the defendants remain in the custody of the Department of State Services.
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, on Thursday, scheduled four days of proceedings from October 27 to 30 for the continuation of the trials.
The judge urged prosecution and defence counsel to cooperate with the court to ensure that judgment is delivered before January 2027.
The proceedings involved three defendants accused of abducting 20 prospective NYSC members on Independence Day and two others facing charges in a separate kidnapping case.
During the hearing, a DSS officer, Ikem Emmanuel, testified about the investigation that led to the arrest of the three defendants in the NYSC-related case.
He told the court that the investigation involved intelligence gathering, data analysis, record checks, interviews and statements obtained from the defendants, victims and witnesses.
Emmanuel also said an identification parade was conducted, during which victims and witnesses identified the defendants as members of the gang that allegedly kidnapped them.
The officer further told the court that one of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, admitted in his statement to participating in the operation and allegedly disclosed that 11 people were involved.
He maintained that the defendants’ statements were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.
In the separate case involving two other defendants, the DSS officer also testified that their statements were taken in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
Justice Orafu adjourned the cases to October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for continuation of hearing and ordered that all five defendants remain in DSS custody.
