An alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans has accused the police of torture and forcing him to make indicting confessional statements when he was in their custody or be killed. He made the allegations at Lagos High Court, Ikeja while denying kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu and collecting a $420,000 ransom from his family.
Evans said that everything contained in his alleged confessional statement were scripted by the police and he was ordered to play along or be killed.
“The police told me to be laughing and smiling in the video. You do not know what I encountered in the hands of Abba Kyari and his boys. My eyes saw hell. It was what they told me to be doing that I was doing,” Evans said,”
He made the denial on Friday while being cross-examined by the state prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule. Evans said he is easily identifiable and that is why anyone could easily do so. “Ahamonu and Idowu Haruna (the Investigating Police Officer) could have conspired with the police” he alleged. My pictures are everywhere, all over the world. Before my picture was everywhere, people knew who I was.I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin,” he said.
Earlier while being led in evidence by defence counsel, Ms O.N Sonuga, he said “I do not know Slyvanus Ahamonu, I only met him in the IG Guest House at Falomo.
“One day at the IG Guest House, the police brought some documents and asked me to sign, I asked what documents are for; they didn’t answer me. They said that if I don’t co-operate with them, they would kill me. When I refused, Insp. Philip asked them to take me to the back of the guest house. When I got there, They were pressing cigarette butts on my body. I saw those people I was paraded with in Ikeja and said I will use my eyes to see what will happen to those people and nothing will happen; that it is better I sign those documents. They killed about six persons in my presence and I signed the document. I was not allowed to read it. I think it is the document that was used to bring me to court. I do not know anything about the allegations before this court. I don’t know who Ahamonu is. I only met him at the IG Guest House, I had not had any prior contact with him.”
Evans also told the court that no firearms were discovered in his home by the police.
Sylvanus and his wife, Chimebere Ahamonu had on December 17, 2021 testified virtually about how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014 on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos. The couple narrated how they sold properties, borrowed money, raised funds from family and well wishers to attempt to raise the initial $2million ransom that was demanded by Evans. Sylvanus whose hands and legs were allegedly chained throughout his two-months in captivity was only released when the family had allegedly given Evans $420,000 ransom and he was at the point of death. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until March 11 for continuation of trial.
