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The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri-Onitsha road, with all the defendants pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The suspects were arraigned before a court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu over allegations bordering on abduction, hostage-taking, ransom collection and illegal possession of firearms.
Three of the defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, were accused of involvement in the abduction of corps members and the collection of ransom amounting to N48 million and foreign currency. Blueprint reports
The other two suspects – Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
Three suspects face multiple charges
The prosecution accused Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali of committing offences connected with the abduction of corps members, the taking of hostages, the collection of ransom and unlawful possession of firearms.
The three defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The prosecution also accused Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim of conspiracy and hostage-taking, as well as illegal possession of firearms. They equally denied the allegations against them.
The charges followed investigations into the reported abduction of corps members and other victims along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The defendants are expected to answer the allegations as the proceedings continue. Their pleas mean the prosecution will be required to establish the charges against them in court.
Court orders continued DSS custody
Following the arraignment, counsel for the state, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application seeking an order permitting the DSS to retain custody of the suspects.
Justice Orafu granted the application, allowing the defendants to remain in the custody of the secret police pending further proceedings.
Nnaemeka Adipuo appeared for the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma represented the third defendant.
The court adjourned the cases to Thursday, October 22, as well as October 27, 28 and 29, for further proceedings and hearing.
The adjournment is expected to provide an opportunity for the cases to progress through the judicial process.
Victims reportedly abducted while travelling to orientation camps
The arraignment comes weeks after about 20 corps members were reportedly abducted on October 1 while travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road to NYSC orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The victims were said to have been travelling to their respective orientation camps when they were intercepted and taken into captivity.
Their abduction sparked concern over the safety of prospective corps members travelling across state boundaries to participate in the mandatory national service programme.
The incident also drew attention to the security risks faced by young Nigerians travelling to orientation camps, particularly those using major highways where criminal gangs have been known to target commuters.
The corps members were reportedly released after spending about six days in captivity. They were subsequently reunited with their families.
Although their release brought relief to their relatives, the incident raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the abduction, the reported ransom demand and the security arrangements for travellers along the route.
The arraignment of the five suspects represents a further step in the legal proceedings arising from the incident. However, the allegations against each defendant remain to be established before the court.
Defence counsels insist on presumption of innocence
Speaking to journalists after the court session, defence counsels Adipuo and Ofoma emphasised that the defendants should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty.
Their position reflects the constitutional principle that every person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves the allegations against them in accordance with the law.
The defendants’ pleas of not guilty mean that the allegations remain contested and must be determined through the judicial process.
The cases are expected to resume on the scheduled dates as the court considers the matters before it.
Until a final determination is reached, the five suspects remain defendants facing allegations, rather than persons convicted of the offences charged against them.
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