Court sets date for judgment in 20 NYSC members abduction trial

The Imo State High Court has scheduled December 16, 2026, for a judgment in the trial of three men accused of involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members traveling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, and Mohammed Ali, are on trial under suit number HOU/22C/2026 before Justice Emeka Orafu.

Following the defense lawyers' closing arguments, Justice Orafu announced the judgment date on Friday, November 6, 2026, after hearing the testimony of Mohammed Ali, the third defense witness. The judge acknowledged the efforts of both defense and prosecution lawyers, directing the defense to submit their written address within seven days, starting Saturday, November 7, while the prosecution had five days, beginning Saturday, November 14, to file their response.

The court adjourned the case until November 24 for the final addresses of both parties, subsequently setting December 16 as the date for delivering judgment. Mohammed Ali, the third defense witness, testified that he was from Kogi State, working as a cattle rearer in Kara, Aba. He denied any knowledge of the alleged abduction, stating he was arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives while sitting in Kara, taken to Owerri, and detained.

Ali claimed he did not know the other two defendants and clarified that DSS officers attempted to beat him, though he was not actually beaten before his confessional statement was recorded. The court adjourned for the adoption of the final addresses, leading to the setting of December 16 for the delivery of judgment.