Two of the defendants to be tried over the abduction of 20 prospective corps members in Imo State have confessed to providing written and audio-visual confessional statements tendered by the DSS.
Two individuals on trial for the abduction of 20 would-be members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State, have confessed making written and audio-visual confessional statements given before the court by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second accused persons, made the admission during proceedings at the Imo State High Court on Thursday, where they also prayed for forgiveness.
Reportedly during cross-examination they confessed that they had made the audio-visual confessions voluntarily and had thumb-printed the written admissions in the presence of their lawyers.
The DSS had previously offered the statements as evidence and the court had admitted them.
The two defendants also pleaded for the court to pardon them and to grant them freedom as they opened their defence in the case including claims of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unauthorised possession of firearms.
They are making the admissions while the prosecution proceeds to present evidence in a separate trial involving two other defendants charged with a range of crimes from conspiracy to kidnapping and unauthorised possession of firearms.
The two defendants were named as the men who allegedly kidnaped a prosecution witness for ransom in Imo State on October 4, 2026 during Thursday’s proceedings in the relevant case.
Justice Emeka Orafu, the trial judge, during the hearings adjourned both cases till November 6, 2026 for continuation of trial.
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