Trial of NYSC murder suspects begins

The legal process for obtaining justice for the youth corps members who were killed in post-election violence began on Monday

in the North-Eastern state of Bauchi, with the trial of twenty suspects charged with their murders.

The suspects, who according to prosecuting Police Sergeant Mohammed Kafin Madaki were arrested in Giade, Bauchi, conspired, attacked and matcheted seven corps members, one policewoman and two businessmen to death.

Madaki said they were also involved in other offences contrary to the penal code, including the burning down of the Divisional Police Headquarters in Giade with six vehicles parked there, shops and places of worship.

The presiding judge, Chief Magistrate Mohammed Mukhtar Abubakar ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned to May 31 for further hearing.

The twenty people charged were among forty-one arraigned for the post-election violence in the state.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch, at least, 800 people died and 65,000 others were displaced in 12 states in the North when the violence erupted after the conclusion of the presidential election.