An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping businessman Slyvanus Ahamonou and collecting $420,000 dollars as ransom from his family.
Evans’ accomplice, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21years imprisonment.
Both men were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms by the state.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.
“It has been established by the prosecution witness and main complainant, Ahamonou, who was kidnapped. The question is who kidnapped him?
The court noted that Ahamonu identified the first defendant in court while he was giving his testimony and at the police station nearly two months before the matter was taken to court.
“He testified that he was blindfolded before being taken to the bus. He said: “Immediately I saw him, I said this was the person that kidnapped me. I also watched the video where the first defendant admitted to have kidnapped PW3.
“The first defendant sat in a comfortable chair and there was no sign that he made the statement under duress.
“He was not threatened or harassed. He signed the statement,” the court said.
“He also said how he broke into banks and later graduated to kidnapping.”
Justice Taiwo said she was satisfied that her court can convict the defendants through his confessional statement.
The judge also held that there was no proof before the court that three of the Evans’ men were killed by the police.
Justice Taiwo convicted Aduba based on his confessional statement.
Delivering judgment, Justice Taiwo said: “The two are sentenced to five-year jail term on first count, second count 21 years, and third count five years.
“The sentences will however, run concurrently. It will serve as deterrence to others.”
Ahamonou and his wife, Chimebere 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.
