Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans has denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu and collecting a $420,000 ransom from his family.
Evans denied the allegation of kidnapping under cross-examination by the state prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule, before Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Evans is standing trial alongside an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
He denied knowing Ahamonu prior to seeing him after his arrest.
When Mr. Sule noted that Ahamonu had identified him when he testified virtually (via the Zoom app) in court, Evans said he is easily identifiable.
“I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin,” he said.
The alleged kidnap kingpin said he did not mention his haulage and logistics business in his statement because it was written by the police.
Responding to questions, Evans said he also did not provide medical documents proving his alleged torture by the police to the court.
However, he noted that while he was in police custody, he had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the police over his 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, Evans 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.”
Earlier, Evans while testifying in his defence had said he did not know Ahamonu.
Led in evidence by defence counsel, Ms O.N Sonuga, he 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 cooperate with them they will kill me.”
Evans also told the court that no firearm was found in his home by the police.
Sylvanus and his wife, Chimebere Ahamonu had on Dec. 17, 2021 testified virtually about how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014 on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until March 11 for the continuation of trial.
