Court sets date for judgment in 20 NYSC members abduction trial
Imo State High Court Schedules Judgment in Abduction Case
An Imo State High Court has set a judgment date of December 16, 2026, for three men accused of abducting 20 individuals preparing for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The accused—Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, and Mohammed Ali—are being tried under suit number HOU/22C/2026 before Justice Emeka Orafu. The judge announced the decision on November 6, 2026, after the defense concluded its case, following the testimony of Mohammed Ali, who served as the third defense witness.
Justice Orafu instructed the defense to submit its written address within seven days starting November 7, while the prosecution was allotted five days from November 14 to respond.
During his testimony, Mohammed Ali, a cattle rearer from Kogi State residing in Kara, Aba, denied any involvement in the alleged abduction. He stated he was apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while sitting in Kara, subsequently taken to Owerri, and detained.
When asked if he had further information to provide, Ali reiterated that he did not know the other defendants. Under cross-examination by Director of Public Prosecution Martins Udolwu, he claimed to have lived in Aba for about two years and identified himself as a herdsman, although he asserted that he had never entered any forests.
Ali detailed his responsibilities, explaining he has two boys who take the cattle to graze during the day and bring them back in the evening. He acknowledged recognizing the first defense witness, noting they occasionally see each other at the mosque, but denied knowing the second defense witness.
The courtroom witnessed a moment of levity when Ali clarified a previous statement about being beaten before an audio-visual recording was made, stating that while DSS operatives attempted to beat him, they did not actually do so prior to the creation of his confessional statement.
In response to questions from the legal representatives of the first and second defendants, Ali confirmed he provided one statement and completed a form in the presence of his lawyer.
