OWERRI, Nigeria — The Imo State High Court has ordered an expedited trial of five defendants accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on Independence Day.

The court has fixed October 27 to 30 for the continuation of hearings, urging prosecution and defence counsel to cooperate to ensure the cases are concluded and judgments delivered before January 2027.

Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, made the appeal on Thursday during proceedings involving three defendants accused of abducting the prospective corps members and two others facing charges in a separate kidnapping case.

During the hearing, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, Ikem Emmanuel, testified on the investigation that led to the arrest of the three defendants in the NYSC-related case.

Emmanuel told the court that the investigation involved intelligence gathering, data analysis, record checks, interviews and statements obtained from the defendants, victims and witnesses.

He further disclosed that an identification parade was conducted, during which victims and witnesses allegedly identified the defendants as members of the gang responsible for the abduction.

The DSS operative also told the court that one of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, allegedly admitted in his statement to participating in the operation and disclosed that 11 persons were involved.

According to the witness, the defendants’ statements were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.

In a related proceeding involving two other defendants charged in a separate kidnapping case, Emmanuel also testified about the investigation, stating that their statements were taken in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.

Following the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned the cases to October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for further hearings.

The judge also ordered that all five defendants remain in DSS custody pending the continuation of their trials.