A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has resumed hearing in the trial of five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and three other victims....
A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has resumed hearing in the trial of five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and three other victims.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution called the principal investigating officer, Ikem Emmanuel, as its first witness to testify on the circumstances surrounding the abductions and the arrest of the suspects.
Three of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, Bababangi Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, are standing trial over the alleged abduction of the 20 prospective corps members, while Aminu Aliyu and Dangi Ibrahim were arrested in connection with the abduction of three people in Umuawaka-Okwu community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking, abduction and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Testifying before the court, Emmanuel told the court that the 20 prospective corps members were abducted at about 6.30 a.m. on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway while travelling from Ibadan to Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
According to him, the victims were ambushed by armed men wielding AK-47 rifles and taken to a forest, where they were held captive for seven days before a ransom was paid.
The investigating officer further told the court that a joint security operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the police led to the arrest of the suspects between October 10 and 14.
He said the victims identified the suspects after they removed their face masks during the period of captivity.
Emmanuel also testified that the defendants’ confessional statements were recorded voluntarily in the presence of their legal representatives, in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.
Following the testimony, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned the case to October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for continuation of hearing.
The judge urged both prosecution and defence counsel to ensure an expeditious trial.
The trial continues as the prosecution presents its evidence against the five defendants.