Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans has denied kidnapping and collecting a ransom price of $420,000 from the family of a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu.
He denied the allegation under cross-examination by the state prosecutor, Mr. Yusuf Sule before trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on Friday sitting at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Recall that Evans is standing trial alongside an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Evans informed the court that he was born on April 22, 1980 and hails from Nnewi, Anambra State.
He denied knowing Ahamonu prior to seeing him after his arrest.
When Sule noted that Ahamonu had identified him when he testified virtually (via the Zoom app) in court. Evans said he is easily identifiable.
He claimed that Ahamonu and Idowu Haruna who is the Investigating Police Officer could have conspired with the police.
He replied the prosecutor, “My pictures are everywhere, all over the world. Before my picture was everywhere, people knew who I was.
He continued, “I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin.”
Evans explained that he had made no mention of his haulage and logistics business in his statement because it was written by the police.
Continuing, Evans said he also did not provide medical documents proving his alleged torture by the police to the court.
Evans however noted that while he was incarcerated, he had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the police over the alleged torture at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Explaining why he was seen in a jovial mood in the confessional video played in the court when prosecution presented its case, the alledged kidnapper said he was forced to act that way by the police.
“The police told me to be laughing and smiling in the video. You do not know what I encountered in the hands of Abba Kyari and his boys. My eyes saw hell.
“It was what they told me to be doing that I was doing,” he said.
Earlier, Evans while testifying in his defence had said he did not know Ahamonu.
Led in evidence by defence counsel, Ms. O.N Sonuga, Evans during proceedings said “I do not know Slyvanus Ahamonu, I only met him in the IG Guest House at Falomo.
“One day at the IG Guest House, the police brought some documents and asked me to sign, I asked what documents are for, they didn’t answer me they said that if I don’t co-operate with them they will kill me.
“When I refused, Insp. Philip asked them to take me to the back of the guest house. When I got there, they were pressing cigarette butts on my body.
“I saw those people I was paraded with in Ikeja and said I will use my eye to see what will happen to those people and nothing will happen that it is better I sign those documents.
“They killed about six persons in my presence and I signed the document, I was not allowed to read it. I think it is the document that was used to bring me to court.
“I do not know anything about the allegations before this court. I don’t know who Ahamonu is. I only met him at the IG Guest House, I had not had any prior contact with him.
The first defendant also told the court that no firearms were discovered in his home by the police.
Giving evidence on December 17 in a via virtual proceeding, Sylvanus and his wife, Chimebere Ahamonu narrated how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014 on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.
The couple told the court how they sold properties, borrowed money, raised funds from family and well wishers to attempt to raise the initial $2million ransom that was demanded by Evans.
Sylvanus whose hands and legs were chained throughout his two-months in captivity was only released when the family had allegedly given Evans $420,000 ransom and he was at the verge of death.
The judge, Justice Taiwo however adjourned the case until March 11 for continuation of trial
