Shock, drama in court as Evans, alleged billionaire kidnapper denies police claims, says he’s businessman, deals in  ornaments, Horlicks

Anthony Iwuoma

Shock gripped the court when alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, told the court that he is not a kidnapper, as he is being accused.

Onwuamadike, who had been known as Evans all along, also denied the name  and pleaded not guilty of the two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping brought against him and his five co-defendants.

The suspect, who was led in evidence by his defence counsel, Victor Okpara, denied all allegations of kidnapping levelled against him by the Lagos State Government, insisting he was a legitimate businessman, who sells  ornaments and Horlicks.

He claimed that he was forced to admit being a kidnapper after the police killed four individuals in his presence in order to compel him to confess to the crime.

He said: “I live at Fred Shoboyede Street, Magodo Phase II, Lagos.

“I am a businessman and I deal in ornaments and Horlicks.

“My lord, my name is not Evans and I don’t have a nickname.”

Onwuamadike also denied knowing his co-accused, Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba,  saying he saw them for the first time in the day they were paraded by the police at Area F Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos, as members of a kidnap syndicate.

Onwuamadike and others were first arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on Aug. 31, 2017 for the kidnap of the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Donatus Dunu.

According to the prosecution, Mr Dunu was kidnapped on Ilupeju Road, Lagos and the defendants allegedly collected 223,000 Euros as ransom from his family before he was released.

All the defendants during the criminal trial have insisted they were innocent.

Justice Oshodi gave the defence 30 days to file their final written addresses and the prosecution another 30 days to respond to the defence addresses.

The case was adjourned until November 5 for the adoption of the final written addresses.