An Imo State High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu has scheduled December 16, 2026, to deliver its final judgment in the high-profile trial concerning the abduction of twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members. The victims were seized while traveling toward their designated orientation camps located in Abia and Akwa Ibom states, sparking widespread concern over security along transit routes utilized by participants in the national youth service scheme.
The scheduling of the verdict followed the conclusion of defense testimonies in the suit registered under the case number HOU/22C/2026. The defendants in the legal proceedings are Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, and Mohamed Ali, who face serious allegations connecting them to the coordinated kidnapping operation. During the recent court session, Justice Orafu formally announced the closure of the defense case after the third witness, Mohammed Ali, completed his testimony before the bench.
During his appearance in court, the third defense witness testified that he worked as a herdsman residing in Aba, and he maintained his innocence throughout the cross-examination conducted by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Martins Udolwu. The witness told the court that he had no involvement in the abduction of the youth corps members and claimed he was apprehended by security operatives while sitting in his usual area before being transferred to Owerri for detention.
Following the conclusion of oral evidence, Justice Orafu commended both the prosecution and the defense counsels for their cooperation and prompt responses throughout the judicial proceedings. The court directed the defense team to file their final written briefs within a seven-day window beginning November 7, 2026, while the prosecution was granted a subsequent five-day period starting November 14 to submit its official response.
The court subsequently scheduled November 24, 2026, for both legal teams to formally adopt their written addresses before proceeding toward the final judgment. The announcement of the December 16 judgment date brings a definitive timeline to the conclusion of the trial, which has drawn significant public attention due to the vulnerability of youth service participants traveling across state lines.
Source reporting: Vanguard — 2026-11-06 12:22:23
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