..Suspects to remain in DSS custody.
A High Court of Imo State on Thursday ordered the speedy trial of five persons accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on Independence Day.
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, set aside four days — October 27 to 30 — for the continuation of hearing in the two cases, and urged both prosecution and defence counsel to cooperate to ensure judgment is delivered before January 2027.
The cases involve three defendants accused of abducting the prospective corps members, and two others facing charges over a separate kidnapping incident.
During proceedings, an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ikem Emmanuel, testified on 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 said an identification parade was conducted, during which victims and witnesses identified the defendants as members of the criminal gang that kidnapped them.
He 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 persons were involved.
The investigator maintained that the defendants’ statements were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.
In the related proceeding involving the other two defendants, the DSS officer also gave evidence, stating that their statements were similarly taken in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
Following the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned both cases to October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for continuation of hearing, and ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody.
