CITIZENS COMPASS—An officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ikem Emmanuel, on Thursday, testified that a prosecution witness, Usman Aliyu, has disclosed that 11 suspects took part in the recent kidnapping movies of some prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State.
The officer spoke on Thursday, before an Imo State High Court which fixed four consecutive days for the continuation of the trial of five men accused of the kidnapping.
The court scheduled October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for further proceedings in two separate cases involving the defendants, while urging the prosecution and defence teams to work towards concluding the trials before January 2027.
Justice Emeka Orafu, who presided over the cases on Thursday, called on both parties to cooperate with the court to ensure the proceedings were concluded without unnecessary delays.
Three of the defendants are accused of participating in the abduction of 20 prospective corps members on Independence Day, while the other two are facing charges in a separate kidnapping case.
Emmanuel told the court that the investigation involved intelligence gathering, data analysis, checks of relevant records, interviews and statements obtained from the defendants, victims and witnesses.
He also said investigators conducted an identification parade during which victims and witnesses allegedly identified the defendants as members of the gang responsible for the abduction.
The DSS officer further told the court that one of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, admitted in his statement to participating in the operation.
According to Emmanuel, Aliyu allegedly disclosed during questioning that 11 people took part in the kidnapping.
The witness maintained that the defendants made their statements in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
In the separate case involving the other two defendants, Emmanuel also gave evidence about the investigation, stating that their statements were recorded in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
Following the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned both cases until October 27 to 30 for further hearing.
The judge also ordered that all five defendants remain in DSS custody pending the continuation of their trials.
