Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State during the Independence Day period have admitted making the confessional statements tendered before the court by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second defendants, respectively, however, pleaded with the court to forgive them and set them free.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, both defendants, while being cross-examined, admitted making the audio-visual confessional statements and thumbprinting the written statements in the presence of their counsel.
The DSS had tendered the statements as evidence before the court.
Earlier, while opening their defence, the defendants testified on their own behalf and appealed to the court for forgiveness in the case involving charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
They also admitted that they voluntarily made the audio-visual and written statements, which were subsequently tendered by the DSS and admitted in evidence by the court.
In a related case, the trial of two other defendants facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms continued, with a prosecution witness identifying them as the persons who allegedly abducted him for ransom on October 4, 2026, in the state.
At the end of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both cases until November 6 for continuation of hearing.