By Divine Sam

An Imo State High Court has fixed December 16, 2026, for judgment in the trial of three men accused of involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The case, marked HOU/22C/2026, is being presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, who announced the judgment date on Friday, November 6, after the defence concluded its case with the testimony of its third witness, Mohammed Ali.

The judge directed the defence to file its final written addresses within seven days beginning November 7, while the prosecution was given five days from November 14 to respond.

He subsequently adjourned the matter to November 24 for the adoption of the parties’ final addresses ahead of the scheduled judgment.

During the proceedings, Ali, identified as the third defence witness (DW3), told the court that he was a native of Kogi State and worked as a cattle rearer in Kara, Aba, Abia State.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Paschal Oforma, the witness denied having any knowledge of the abduction, explaining that he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while sitting in Kara before being taken to Owerri, where he was detained.

He also told the court that he did not know the other defendants.

However, during cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Martins Udolwu, Ali confirmed that he had lived in Aba for about two years and identified himself as a herdsman.

He maintained that he did not enter forests, adding that his two sons were responsible for taking the cattle out to graze in the morning and returning them in the evening.

The witness further confirmed that he knew the first defendant, whom he occasionally saw at a mosque, but said he did not know the second defendant.

A moment of amusement occurred in the courtroom when Ali appeared to retract his earlier claim that he was beaten before an audio-visual recording was made.

He subsequently clarified that DSS operatives attempted to beat him but did not do so before the recording of his confessional statement.

Responding to questions from counsel representing the first and second defendants, the witness said he made one statement and completed a form in the presence of his lawyer.

The three defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohamed Ali, are standing trial over their alleged roles in the abduction of the 20 prospective corps members.

The court is expected to deliver its judgment on December 16.