Legal Nigeria

‘Evans’ trial stalls by absence of trial judge

Evans

The proposed trial of suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias Evans was on stalled on Monday at an Ikeja high court owing to the absence of the trial Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.It was gathered that the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo was on official assignment with the Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke.The matter was therefore adjourned till June 16 for continuation of trial by the court registrar.At the last proceedings, two Compact Disks (CDs) showing video recordings of Evans confessing to his crimes was shown and admitted in evidence by court.The video showed Evans confessing to kidnapping of his victims and to armed robbery within and outside Lagos state.The clips from the video were played while the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Titi Shitta-Bey was leading a witness, Inspector Idowu Haruna in evidence in-chief.The video showed him smiling occasionally as he narrated his escapdes in bank robberies and kidnapping.Evans said the Ransome collected ranged from $250,000 to $1million depending on the victim.Evans in the video was also heard giving details of his family background, how he ran away from home, went into armed robbery and later kidnapping.While giving evidence, Haruna said Evans, during interrogation, gave them names and information about the people he had kidnapped in Lagos and in other states.“He confessed that on June 28, 2014, at Saka Street., Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos, he was armed with an Ak47 gun and he kidnapped Mr Sylvanus Ahanonu, taking him to their hideout in a danfo bus.“After holding the victim for nine weeks, they contacted his family demanding $2million. We negotiated with his family and they agreed to pay $420,000” adding that the money was paid by installments.Haruna had stated further that after Sylvanus regained his freedom, he gave a statement to the police.He stated further that the victim’s wife, Mrs Chinyemere Ahanonu who negotiated his release and his brother Dominic Ahanonu who dropped off the ransome all volunteered statements.Evans is standing trial alongside co-defendant, Victor Aduba.They are facing a four-count charge of kidnapping of Sylvanus Ahanonu Afia and for unlawful possession of firearms.Evans is also facing similar charges before Justice Hakeem Oshodi also of Ikeja High Court.Credit: The Nation