Absence of Judge stalls Evans’ trial

THE proposed trial of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias Evans was on Monday stalled due to the absence of the trial Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

The presiding Judge, it was gathered went on an official with the Lagos State Chief Judge.

The matter was therefore adjourned till June 16 for continuation of trial.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that at the last adjourned date, two Compact Disks (CDs) showing video recordings of Evans confessing to his crimes was shown in 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.

It 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 heard giving details of his family background, how he ran away from home, went into armed robbery and later kidnapping.

While giving evidrnce, 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 instalments.

Haruna stated further that after Sylvanus regained his freedom, he gave a statement to the police, his 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 with co-defendant,Victor Aduba for four-counts of kidnapping of Sylvanus Ahanonu Afia and for unlawful possession of firearms.

Evans is also facing similar charges before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court.