A High Court of Imo State has ordered five suspects accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as their trial continues.

The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, gave the order on Tuesday after admitting exhibits tendered by the DSS in evidence against the defendants.

The exhibits included firearms, cash, written confessional statements and audiovisual recordings of the suspects’ statements.

At the resumed hearing, the DSS first principal witness, Ikem Emmanuel, testified that the defendants made confessional statements admitting to conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

Emmanuel told the court that the statements were obtained in the presence of the defendants’ lawyers and DSS legal officers.
Justice Orafu admitted the exhibits and ordered that the recovered firearms and money be kept in DSS custody.

In a related case involving two other kidnapping suspects, the DSS officer also testified about the investigation, stating that their confessional statements were obtained under caution in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.

The officer tendered audiovisual recordings and written statements, as well as cash recovered in naira. However, he could not tender his investigation report due to time constraints.

The court adjourned both cases to October 28, 29 and 30 for continuation of hearing.