The suspects are Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy to hostage taking, abduction and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The Prosecution Counsel, Ekezie Nwauzo, told the court that the defendants and others at large allegedly conspired and carried out the kidnap in the early hours of October 1, around the Mgbidi axis of the Onitsha – Owerri Expressway.

He further told the court that the defendants allegedly demanded and received N48 million and some dollars from the families of the victims before their release.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding ujdge, Emeka Orafu, ordered the defendants to be remanded in a SSS facility.

Orafu, thereafter, adjourned the case to Thursday for further hearing.

Also, the SSS arraigned two other suspects, Aminu Aliru and Dangi Abraham, over the alleged kidnap of four other passengers on the same date and scene.

The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, which included conspiracy, abduction, unlawful possession of firearms and the demand for N8 million ransom.

The case was also adjourned to Thursday for further hearing.

It would be recalled that two buses, conveying prospective corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo and Bende in Abia, respectively, were kidnapped and held hostage in the forest by suspected armed men on October 1.

However, the corps members and the passengers regained their freedom on October 7, following the intervention of security agencies. (NAN)