A fifth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has narrated to the court how he paid $1million ransom.
The witness, Mr Izuchukwu Ezeuko, who gave evidence before an an Igbosere High Court in Lagos, on Thursday said he travelled to the eastern part of the country to pay a $1million ransom in two tranches to the kidnappers of his employer, Mr James Uduji.
Ezeuko, who was led in evidence in chief by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem explained that some weeks after the alleged kidnap, on October 10, 2015, he got a call from a private number, requesting him to speak with his boss.
He told the court that his employer instructed him to source for $800,000 from his brother, one Mr Edwin Uduji and deliver same to the kidnappers in the eastern part of the country.
Ezeuko narrated how the next day, he and the victim’s sister drove from Lagos to Anambra state where they were instructed by the kidnappers to drop off the ransom money in an uncompleted building.
Two weeks after payment of the ransom the victim, Uduji was released.
During cross-examination, the witness told the defense counsel, Olarenwaju Ajanaku, that he did not inform the police of the ransom payments and his interactions with the alleged kidnappers.
The trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye, therefore, adjourned the case until Monday, October 8th, for the continuation of hearing.
Evans is currently facing two separate charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder.
