Court units date for judgment in 20 NYSC members abduction trial

An Imo State High Court has fastened December 16, 2026, for judgment within the trial of three males accused of collaborating within the abduction of 20 potential National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members travelling to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, are dealing with trial in swimsuit quantity HOU/22C/2026 earlier than Justice Emeka Orafu.

The choose introduced the judgment date on Friday, November 6, 2026, after the defence attorneys closed their case following the testimony of the third defence witness, Mohammed Ali (DW3).

He directed the defence to file its written handle inside seven days, starting Saturday, November 7, whereas the prosecution was given 5 days from Saturday, November 14, to submit its response.

Earlier, Mohammed Ali, who testified because the third defence witness, advised the courtroom that he was from Kogi State and labored as a cattle rearer in Kara, Aba.

Led in proof by his lawyer, Mr Paschal Oforma, the witness denied having any information of the alleged abduction. He mentioned he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, whereas sitting in Kara, taken to Owerri and detained.

When requested whether or not he had the rest to inform the courtroom, Ali maintained that he didn’t know the opposite defendants.

During cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Martins Udolwu, the witness mentioned he had lived in Aba for about two years and recognized himself as a herdsman however denied coming into forests.

He defined that he had two boys who took the cattle out to graze within the morning and returned them within the night.

Ali additionally acknowledged understanding the primary defence witness, saying he sometimes noticed him on the mosque, however maintained that he didn’t know the second defence witness.

There was laughter within the courtroom when the witness revised his earlier declare that he was crushed earlier than an audio-visual recording was made. He clarified that DSS operatives tried to beat him however didn’t really achieve this earlier than the recording of his confessional assertion.

Responding to questions from the attorneys representing the primary and second defendants, Ali mentioned he made one assertion and accomplished a type within the presence of his lawyer.