x

Court Sentence Evans, 2 Others To Life Imprisonment

The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has sentenced kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans and two others, Uchenna Amadi and Okuchuwkwu Nwachukwu, to life imprisonment.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi handed out the sentence to the trio on Friday after convicting them on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping of a businessman, Donatus Duru.

The victim is the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

In convicting the trio, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had successfully proved the charge against them beyond a reasonable doubt.

In reaching his verdict on Evans, the judge held that he observed the demeanour of the witness, stating that in some of the confessional videos played in court, Evans had mentioned some of the other defendants and the roles they played in the crime.

“He was seen freely laughing and willingly answered questions. A close look at his body shows no sign of torture. He did not look unkempt. He is seen laughing even when he was told that he must be a rich kidnapper,” Justice Oshodi said.

“He showed no remorse in the dock and tried to lie his way out of the crimes despite the video evidence.”

He concluded that the evidence tendered before the court especially their video confessions corroborated their guilt.

The court discharged and acquitted Ogechi Uchechukwu and two former soldiers of the Nigerian Army, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba, for lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the crime.

The Lagos State government had arraigned Evans alongside Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba for allegedly kidnapping the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited, Donatus Dunu, on February 14, 2017.

The state had claimed that the convicts committed the alleged offence between February 14 and April 12, 2017.

The prosecution had further told the court that the incident took place at about 7:45 pm, along Obokun Street, in the Ilupeju area of Lagos.

The prosecution told the court that on April 12, Evans alongside the other five defendants while armed with guns and other weapons captured, detained and collected a ransom of 223,000 euros from Donatus for his release.

The Lagos State government subsequently arraigned the defendants before the court in August 2017.

In all, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including the victim, Dunu while the defence presented six witnesses including Evans who testified in his own defence.

Evans is also facing similar charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo and Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the same court.

Hot this week

A’Ibom Police receive 255 new Recruits

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,UyoAkwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Baba...

Kogi Government, FG Empower 8,600 Households with Cash Transfer Programme

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Government, in partnership...

Security: Wike Lights Up Abuja Districts, Flags – Off integrated Solar Lighting Project

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on...

WHO Eyes 2030 As Year For Achievement of Refractive Eye Care For All

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuAs the world marks the 2025...

Olawepo-Hashim Accuses APC Elements of Orchestrating Smear Campaign Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaFormer presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim...

WHO Eyes 2030 As Year For Achievement of Refractive Eye Care For All

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuAs the world marks the 2025...

FERMA Flag-off ‘Operation Safeguard the Road’ in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Managing Director/Chief Executive...

Governor Ododo Bags Another National Honour in Education

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaKogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo,...

Governor Ododo Congratulates Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN on His Appointment as INEC Chairman

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaKogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman...

Otuoke University Staff Protest FG’s Failure to Meet Union Demands

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaThe Joint Action Committee (JAC) of...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img