By Ayodele Oni
Hearing has continued in the case of persons standing trial over the Independence Day kidnapping of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State.
Two of the suspects, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu admitted to the offence and pleaded with the court for forgiveness.
This was contained in their statements and audio-visual confessions tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At the resumed sitting, the defendants, under cross-examination, admitted making the audio-visual confessional statements and thumb-printing the written statements in the presence of their counsel.
The materials were subsequently tendered in court by the DSS.
The defendants had earlier, in their evidence-in-chief, pleaded with the court to forgive them and set them free in the case involving conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
Usman and Babangida opened their defence by testifying for themselves, admitting that they voluntarily made the audio-visual and written statements tendered by the DSS and admitted by the court.
They maintained that the statements were made voluntarily and without coercion.
Similarly, the trial of two other defendants accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms continued, with a prosecution witness identifying both men as the persons who allegedly kidnapped him for ransom in the state on October 4, 2026.
During the proceedings, the witness told the court that the defendants were the persons who abducted him and demanded ransom for his release.
At the conclusion of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both matters for continuation.
The court said the defendants would continue presenting their defence, while the prosecution would proceed with calling its witnesses.
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