Evans: How I delivered €232,000 ransom to kidnappers – Witness

The third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, yesterday narrated how he delivered €232,000 ransom to the kidnappers of Donatus Dunu.

Uchenna Okagwu said he was instructed to avoid any mistake while making the drop otherwise he would be shot dead.

Messrs Evans, Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court.

Evans had initially pleaded guilty to the charge of kidnapping, but later reversed his plea.

Aduba is also facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms before Oluwatoyin Taiwo, a judge of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Dunu was the last victim allegedly kidnapped by Evans and his group before their arrest in June last year.

Yesterday, Okagwu, a manager at Dunu’s Maydon Pharmaceutical Company, said they waited to hear the kidnappers’ ransom fee after his principal was abducted last year.

“As the manager of the Idumota branch, we worked towards raising money for the kidnappers, when they asked for ransom,” Okagwu said, adding that he had worked at Dunu’s company for more than seven years.

“After about two months, I was called by Anselm Dunu, Donatus’ brother, to come and deliver the money to the kidnappers, that they have raised €232,000.
“After counting the money, we put it in a polythene bag and wrapped it very well with cellotapes and I went with the money. Anselm gave me his phone that they would use it to direct me to where I would take the ransom to.

“I started receiving calls with the phone from the kidnappers saying I should make no mistakes that if I do, I would be shot. I was asked if I know the way towards Mile 2 and I said yes, I went with the money inside the vehicle, putting the money under the passenger’s seat in the front and I moved out of the compound towards Mile 2.”

The judge adjourned till June 22 for continuation of trial.

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