LAGOS — On Friday, suspected kidnapper, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, during a hearing at Ikeja Special Offences Court denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 ransom from his family.
Standing trial alongside ex-soldier Victor Aduba on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms, Evans accused dismissed DCP, Abba Kyari of forcing and torturing him to admit to being a kidnapper after killing six people in his presence.
Evans alleged victim, Ahamonu and his wife had on December 17, 2021, testified virtually, via zoom, how Mr Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014, on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.
However, during cross-examination by the state prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, the suspected kidnapper vehemently denied knowing Mr. Ahamonu with the reason that he is easily identifiable and that it could be a conspiracy between Mr. Ahamonu and the Investigating Officer, Idowu Haruna.
He claimed to have met Ahamonu at the IG Guest House in Falomo, and had no prior contact with him.
He told the court, “One day at the IG Guest House, the police brought some documents and asked me to sign. I asked what the documents were for, but they didn’t answer me. They said that if I didn’t cooperate with them they would kill me.”
“When I refused, Inspector 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.”
“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 no prior contact with him.”
Explaining why he was seen in a jovial mood in the confessional video played in the court when the prosecution presented its case, Evans said he was forced to act in that manner by Abba Kyari and ‘his boys.’
“The police told me to laugh and smile 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.
Evans also told the court that no firearms were discovered in his home by the police and that he 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 at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged torture.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until March 11 for continuation of trial.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
Latest posts by By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter) (see all)
- Zamfara Family, Others Fights Off Kidnappers, Kills One - April 24, 2024
- Nigerian-Nigerien Forces Gun Down Fleeing Boko Haram Insurgents - April 24, 2024
- Dangote Refinery Cuts Diesel, Jet Fuel Prices Again - April 24, 2024
previous
Nollywood Actors Speak On Nollywood's Impact On Money Ritual Killings
next
