Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans has denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu and collecting a $420,000 ransom from his family.
Evans made the denial while 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.
Evans told the court that he was born on April 22, 1980 and was from Nnewi, Anambra.
He vehemently denied knowing Ahamonu prior to seeing him after his arrest.
Click To Read: Police Arraigns Political Thugs Arrested Relating To Ekiti PDP Primary
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.
“Ahamonu and Idowu Haruna (the Investigating Police Officer) could have conspired with the police.
“My pictures are everywhere, all over the world. Before my picture was everywhere, people knew who I was.
“I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin,” he said.
The alleged kidnap kingpin said he had made no mention of his haulage and logistics business in his statement because it was written by the police.
Also Read: IPOB Leader Trial Resumes While Pleading Not Guilty
Responding to questions, Evans said he also did not provide medical documents proving his alleged torture by the police to the court.
He 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, Evans said he was forced to act that manner 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,” Evans said,”
Read Also: Financial Expert, Adenmosun in Messy N26Billion Fraud
Earlier during proceedings, 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.
“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 would use my eye to see what will happen to those people and nothing would happen that it is better I sign those documents.
You May Also Like To Read: Housing Fraud: Agent Land in Prison for Allegedly Duping Prospective Tenants
“They killed about six persons in my presence and I signed the document, I was not allowed 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.
Evans also told the court that no firearms were discovered 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 continuation of trial.
