Lagos—Suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, told a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, on Friday, that the Police hid him in a toilet when rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) came looking for him.
Evans told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that the incident occurred in the office of the Lagos Coordinator of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Response Team, Chief Superintendent Phillip, soon after his arrest in 2017.
He alleged that the lawyer was contacted by his wife, Uchenna Onwuamadike, but the Police told Falana that they had taken him out for investigation.
Evans, who was in tears, disclosed this while testifying in a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether his confessional statement to the Police should be admitted by the court.
Evans’ testimony followed the continuation of proceedings in a series of kidnap, murder and attempted murder charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
He is facing two separate charges bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder, before Justice Akintoye.
In the first charge, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
In the second charge, he is being tried alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.
He is also facing similar charges before Justices Hakeem Oshodi and Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja High Court.
What Falana told them—Evans
Narrating Falana’s involvement in his case, Evans said: “Immediately after my arrest, my wife called Femi Falana(SAN). He came to SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad).”
He said CSP Phillip told two armed policemen to hide him inside the office toilet and told the lawyer that he was not around, saying he heard the lawyer and Phillip exchange pleasantries.
Evans said: “I heard Phillip greet him ‘Good afternoon sir’. Falana said he wanted to see me.”
According to him, Phillip told Falana that he had been taken out for investigation, but that the lawyer warned the Police against summarily executing him(Evans).
Evans, wiping tears with a handkerchief, added: “Falana warned him that he did not want to hear that I had been taken for investigation only to be shot dead.
“He said he didn’t want to hear that I was trying to escape and then I was shot dead. He told them that if I had committed any offence, I should be charged to court for trial.”
The defendant repeated his claims under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, Mr. Y. G. Oshoala.
Justice Akintoye adjourned till December 10 for the continuation of trial.
