A High Court of Imo State, on Tuesday, admitted evidence tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS) against five persons accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on Independence Day.
At the resumed trial, the first prosecution witness, Ikem Emmanuel, continued his testimony, telling the court that the defendants made confessional statements admitting to conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
The witness tendered an audio-visual recording of the alleged confessions, their written statements, recovered firearms and some money recovered from them.
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, admitted the exhibits and ordered that the arms and money be kept in the custody of the DSS.
The witness maintained that the defendants’ statements were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.
In a related case involving two other kidnap suspects, the DSS officer also testified on the investigation, stating that their confessional statements were taken under caution in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
He tendered the audio-visual recording of their statements, their written statements and money recovered in Naira, but could not tender his report for want of time.
At the end of proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned both matters to October 28, 29 and 30 for continuation of hearing and ordered that all five defendants remain in the custody of the DSS.
- Media Report