Two men standing trial over the Independence Day abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Imo State on Thursday admitted before a state High Court that they made the written and audio-visual confessional statements tendered by the Department of State Services, DSS, and pleaded with the court to forgive them.
Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second defendants, opened their defence by testifying for themselves in the case, which borders on conspiracy, hostage taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
Under cross-examination, both men confirmed that they made the audio-visual confessions and thumb-printed the written statements in the presence of their counsel.
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Earlier, while giving their evidence-in-chief, the defendants asked the court to forgive them and set them free.
The statements, tendered by the DSS, were admitted in evidence by the court.
In a related matter before the same court, the trial of two other defendants facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms continued, with a prosecution witness identifying both of them as the persons who kidnapped him for ransom in the state on October 4, 2026.
At the close of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both matters to November 6 for continuation.
Crediblenewsng.com
