NYSC Members’ Kidnap: Court Fixes December 16 for Judgment

*Another Defendant Confesses

An Imo State High Court has fixed December 16, 2026, for judgment in the case involving three men charged with kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and hostage-taking by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Independence Day in the state.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, announced the date on Friday after defence lawyers closed their case following the testimony of the third defence witness, Mohammed Ali.

The third defendant, like the two others charged alongside him, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, admitted that the confessional statement he made to the DSS regarding his alleged involvement in the crime was correct.

The Aliyus had concluded their defence on Thursday.

Thereafter, Justice Orafu granted the defence seven days, beginning Saturday, November 7, 2026, to file their written addresses. He also gave the prosecution five days, beginning Saturday, November 14, 2026, to file its response.

The judge adjourned the case to November 24, 2026, for the adoption of the written addresses before fixing December 16, 2026, for judgment.

During cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Martins Udolwu, the third defence witness, Ali, admitted knowing Adamu Aliyu as an acquaintance whom he occasionally encountered at mosques.

He also told the court that he was a cattle herder and had lived in Aba, Abia State, for about two years.

Ali further admitted, during cross-examination, that, like the two other defendants who testified on Thursday, his audio-visual recording by the DSS and written statements were made voluntarily and in the presence of his counsel.

On Thursday, Ali’s co-defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, also admitted before the court that their confessional statements presented by the DSS were made voluntarily. They also pleaded for forgiveness.