An Imo State High Court on Tuesday admitted evidence tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the trial of five persons accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on Independence Day.

At the resumed hearing, the court continued listening to the testimony of the first principal witness, Ikem Emmanuel, who told the court that the defendants made confessional statements admitting to conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

Emmanuel tendered audio-visual recordings of the defendants’ alleged confessions, their written statements and a firearm reportedly recovered from them.

The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, admitted the exhibits and ordered that the firearm and money be kept in DSS custody.

The witness maintained that the defendants made their statements in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.

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.

He tendered audio-visual recordings of the statements, written statements and naira recovered during the investigation. However, he could not tender his investigation report due to time constraints.

At the end of the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned both cases to October 28, 29, and 30 to continue the hearings.

The judge also ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody. (The Nation)