I’m not a kidnapper, I sell ornaments, Horlicks, Evans tells Judge

Billionaire kidnapper Chukwudimeme ‘Evans’ Onwuamadike says he’s a dealer in ornaments and Horlicks and not guilty of the two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping brought against him and his five co-defendants.
Led in evidence by his defense counsel, Victor Okpara, Evans Tuesday denied all allegations of kidnapping levelled against him by the Lagos State Government, insisting he was a legitimate businessman.
He said his nickname was not Evans and that he was coerced into admitting being a kidnapper after the police, in a bid to make him confess, extra-judicially killed four individuals in his presence.
“I live at Fred Shoboyede Street, Magodo Phase II, Lagos.
I am a businessman and I deal in ornaments and Horlicks.
My lord, my name is not Evans and I don’t have a nickname,” he said.
He said prior to being apprehended by the authorities, he had never met his five co-defendants, except for the day they were paraded as members of a kidnap syndicate by the police at Area F Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos.
Evans, Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba were arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on Aug. 31, 2017 for the kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
According to the prosecution, Mr Dunu was kidnapped on Ilupeju Road, Lagos and the defendants allegedly collected 223,000 Euros as ransom from Mr Dunu’s family.
All the defendants during the criminal trial have maintained their innocence.
Justice Oshodi gave the defence 30 days to file their final written addresses and the prosecution another 30 days to respond to the defence addresses.
The case was adjourned until November 5 for the adoption of the final written addresses.
More from Peoples Gazette

Anti-Corruption
Abba Kyari deletes infamous Facebook statement telling FBI he was Hushpuppi’s tailor
The controversial July 29 update had elicited thousands of comments and inspired a flurry of biting memes on social media.

Sport
Tokyo Olympics: Nigeria’s Adekuoroye crashes against Moldova’s Nichita in women’s wrestling
Odunayo is now out of the tournament but she may have a chance to compete for the bronze medal through the repechage if Nichita can go all the way to the finals.

Economy
Police Attack: IPMAN calls off strike, meets IGP today
IPMAN has resumed the distribution of products in the eastern zone after a one-day strike and will meet with the inspector general of police today.

NationWide
COVID-19: 14 NYSC members test positive in Sokoto
Infected NYSC members have been moved to an isolation centre for prompt treatment.

NationWide
Buhari approves deployment of 9 permanent secretaries
Five permanent secretaries were redeployed, and four newly deployed.

Sport
Nigerian Olympics finalist in ‘wash and wear’ of only jersey as Sunday Dare abandons athletes
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi said he only has one jersey and has to wash it at night in preparation for the next day’s games.