Politics
I’m Not A Kidnapper, Evans Tells Court
Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans, yesterday denied before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos the confessional statement he earlier made at the police station where he purportedly confessed to kidnapping.
Evans made denial following an attempt by the state prosecuting counsel, Adebayo Haroun, to tender documents containing the statement of the 1st defendant (Evans) as exhibits before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
Evans was arraigned alongside five members of his gang – Uchenna Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu (the only female among them) and two former Army officers, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba – on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.
According to Evans, through his new counsel, Mr. Chino Obiagu, the purported statement was not written by him neither was it voluntarily made as claimed by the police.
Counsel to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, Obiagu, argued that the statement sought to be tendered by the prosecutor was written by a policeman, Inspector Idowu Haruna, attached to the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team.
Obiagu also objected to the tendering of a video clip, during trial within trial, showing Evans confessing to the crime at the police station on the grounds that it does not corroborate with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
He said: “So I object to the admissibility of this document because the 1st defendant didn’t make them voluntarily and I am also yet to be served with a copy of the video or the certified true copy.”
However, earlier during the proceeding, Haruna said that he wrote the statement on behalf of Evans, after he was arrested on June 2017, because he claimed he didn’t complete secondary school and therefore could not write well in English language.
Haruna, while being led in evidence, said that Evans and his gang members all volunteered their statements under caution after being charged with the offence of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.
The witness said: “I got to know the defendants when they were arrested for the kidnap of Mr. Donatus Dunu, the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceutical Company, who escaped from their custody at Igando area, Lagos.
“When the matter was referred to my department at the IGP Response Team, we immediately visited the scene where the abductors had held him and discovered it was a well fenced and furnished bungalow with two flats; just like any normal building.
“Having noticed that their victim had escaped, the gang abandoned the house before we got there. We conducted a search and discovered several AK47 rifles (military version) and pistols which they left behind.
“It was through our investigation and items recovered from the building that we arrested Uchenna Amadi, who had run to seek refuge in Port Harcourt.
“Amadi, during interrogation, confessed that Evans was the mastermind and leader of their gang. This information led to the arrest of Evans at Igando area when he was about to run out of the country to Ghana.
“During Evans’ testimony, he mentioned other members of his gang like Ifeanyi and Aduba, who are former Army officers; Nwachukwu aka ‘Congo’ -who is the agent and informant that sold information of victims to kidnap; Uchenna Amadi and his wife, Ogechi.
“My team also made a video recording of Evans’ confession and narration of all his kidnapping activities before and after he came to Lagos in 2013. After volunteering their statements, it was read to them and they signed. I, however, signed as the recorder.
“Some of the suspects recorded their statements by themselves but I personally recorded the statement of Evans and Victor Aduba.
“Their statement was further read to them again by a superior police officer, CSP Philip (former DSP) and they all agreed to have volunteered without duress.
“Evans, however, told us that he never imagined he could ever be caught because he has no other means of livelihood apart from crime – kidnapping and armed robbery.”
Justice Oshodi thereafter adjourned the matter till October 26 for ruling on admissibility of documents and continuation of trial within trial.
Anonymous
September 14, 2018 at 6:43 am
I can’t say anything because of what the Nigerian police are doing to people in the name of making money
Anonymous
September 13, 2018 at 8:53 pm
Lol
Anonymous
September 13, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Evans said all those confession was forcefully on him and he was speaking under the influence of alcohol and he has join APC government to fight corruption
Anonymous
September 13, 2018 at 7:47 am
After all your foolish confessions? Mad man
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 10:43 pm
What are you nah?
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 10:26 pm
But importer and exporter
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 9:49 pm
O’boy engage the survival gear, join Apc, you ill be released immidiatly and given a new lease of life
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 9:38 pm
Hmmmmm I don set
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 8:36 pm
It is a business my brother…in everything an ibo sees a business opportunity Evans Knows what he is saying … except Court change that kidnapping to business Evans will not understand
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 6:49 pm
maybe he have develop mental problem in side prison yard
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Cry cry criminal, your victims cried but you did not leave them but you expect court to free you.
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Just declare you are a member of APC,the court will set you free.thank me later
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Evans Should Decamp To APC, And See The Charges Dropped
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:41 pm
That loyer is wasting the mater is the loyer that tell him to say so but forgotten that Eliot of evidence is coming out look for a good loyer all this one’s is collecting ur money for noting
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Lolz!! He is a businessman.
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:23 pm
You’re absolutely a psychopath rather, death await you on the left wind
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:11 pm
This guy has effontry to tell us is not a kidnapper
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:10 pm
And he is still alive? Is this world not wonderful ? Small boys are getting killed everyday for no reason SARS dey snap picture with this one, as celebrity wey him be..
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:05 pm
He is APC member.. Not a kidnapper!
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Okay that’s good, so court prove him wrong.
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Yeah you are APC member house of representing of kidnappers association of Nigeria
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Are u denying ur Oga?……… ungratefulness at it peaks!
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Nasiru Inuwa You’re idiot denying your father mumu imbecile
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Nasiru Inuwa,what is your always bringing ethnic sentiment into every mather,instead of commenting objectively.
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Yes you are only Native Doctor
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Then what are you?
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:26 pm
But a philanthropist
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:14 pm
But a politician
Anonymous
September 12, 2018 at 2:08 pm
U are not a kidnapper but a murderer idiot.. Imbecile