Deborah Onyofufeke
Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, was yesterday sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by an Ikeja special offences court, in Lagos, for kidnapping a businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.
His co-defendant, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. The judge held that the sentence would run concurrently without the option of a fine.
Evans, had been previously slammed with life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi, on February 25, at the Ikeja Federal High Court for the kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Evans and Aduba, were said to have conspired and kidnapped Sylvanus Ahanonu, at Kara Street, Amuwo Odofin, in Lagos, at about 5:30 pm on June 23, 2014, were they allegedly captured and held Hafia, hostage and demanded a ransom of $2m. But they pleaded not guilty to the four charges.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in her judgement held that the prosecution has been able to establish beyond reasonable doubt, a case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.
It was further confirmed that the first defendant had previously admitted to kidnapping Ahanonu, an admission he made without any sign of being under threat, harassment, or duress
Justice Taiwo, sentenced Mr Aduba, based on his confessional statement, and held that he should serve out his term without an option of a fine, as a lesson to others.
NDLEA busts cocaine warehouse, impounds N193bn worth of drugs, arrest barons
Counsel to the first defendant, Amobi Nzelu, prayed the court to grant the accused a lesser jail term, adding that the convict was already serving a life jail term.
The second defence counsel, Adeola Folarin, also prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict was a first offender
His counsel further added that the second defendant, had a child while he was in custody. A father of two young children whose children have not enjoyed his fatherly love.
The state counsel, Yusuf Sule, however, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged.
