By Onyinyechi Ugwoke
Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping.
Evans, dubbed the “billionaire kidnapper” in the media, was sentenced on Friday by the Ikeja Division of the Lagos High Court.
Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, two of his accomplices, were also sentenced alongside him.
They were found guilty of kidnapping Donatius Dunu, the CEO of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited on February 14, 2016 along Obokun Street, Ilupeju Road, Lagos.
Thereby violating Section 2(1) of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, No. 13, Laws of Lagos State, 2017.
The businessman was reportedly shackled and blindfolded while being held hostage by the kidnappers for 88 days, and was only released after his family paid a ransom of 223,000 euros.
In August 2017, Evans and the two others were arraigned on a two-count conspiracy and kidnapping charge.
The prosecution closed its case on January 10, 2020, after presenting four witnesses, including Dunu.
The defence closed its case on August 3, 2021, after the defendants and Evans’ sister, Ndubuisi Obiechina, testified.
In reaching his verdict on Evans, the presiding judge held that he observed the demeanour of the witness, stating that in some of the confessional videos played in court, Evans had mentioned some of the other defendants and the roles they played in the crime.
“He was seen freely laughing and willingly answered questions. A close look at his body shows no sign of torture. He did not look unkempt. He is seen laughing even when he was told that he must be a rich kidnapper,” Justice Oshodi said.
“He showed no remorse in the dock and tried to lie his way out of the crimes despite the video evidence.”
“The law is the law and must be upheld. The maximum sentence for the crime of kidnapping in Lagos state is life imprisonment, and the court has no powers to exercise its discretion in this regard,” Justice Oshodi stated.
However, the judge acquitted Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba, the other three defendants in the case.
Kidnap Kingpin, Evans sentenced to Life Imprisonment
