Billionaire Kidnapper Evans sentenced to 21 years imprisonment

Billionaire kidnapper Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences Court today sentenced Evans and his co-defendant, Victor Aduba, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping one Sylvanus Hafia.

They were accused of conspiring and kidnapping Sylvanus Ahanonu Hafia at about 5:30 pm on June 23, 2014, at Kara Street, Amuwo Odofin in Lagos and were alleged to have captured and detained Hafia and demanded a ransom of $2m, however they ended up collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.

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.

READ: I Saw Hell In Hands Of Abba Kyari, He Forced Me To Accept Being A Kidnapper – Evans Billionaire Kidnapper

But they pleaded not guilty to the four charges.

The judge held that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to other aspiring kidnappers.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.

“It has been established by the prosecution witness (PW3, Ahamonou) complainant was kidnapped. The question is kidnapped him?

“Pw3 identified the first defendant in court while he was giving his testimony. He also recognized him at the police station nearly two months before the matter was taken to court.

“He testified that he was blindfolded before being taken to the bus. He said ‘Immediately I saw him, I said this was the person that kidnapped me’ I also watched the video where the first defendant admitted to having kidnapped pw3.

“The first defendant sat in a comfortable chair and there was no sign that he made the statement under duress.

”He was not threatened or harassed. He signed the statement.

“He also said how he broke into banks and later graduated to kidnapping. I am satisfied that this court can convict the defendants through his confessional statement,”

Aduba was convicted based on his confessional statement.

“I have considered the allocates of the defence counsel. This sentencing will serve as a deterrent to others.

The two are hereby to five-year jail term for the first count, second count, 21 years, and third count, five years.

“The sentencing will, however, run concurrently. They are hereby sentenced to 21 years imprisonment without an option of fine.,”  Justice Taiwo Concluded.

The first defence counsel, Mr Amobi Nzelu, in his allocutus, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict was already serving a life jail term.

“I pray the court to grant him a lesser jail term,” Amobi said.

The second defence counsel, Mrs Adeola Folarin, In her allocutus, also prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict was a first offender.

“My lord, he is a young man that has served his country while in the army.

“He also had a child while he was in custody. He is a father of two young children and they have not enjoyed his fatherly love. We pray the court to temper justice with mercy,” Folarin said

The state counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, however, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged.

My lord, the first defendant had been sentenced to life imprisonment before Justice Hakeem Oshodi. I urge the court to sentence the defendants accordingly,” Sule said.

Ahamonou and his wife, Chimebere on Dec. 17, 2021, virtually testified about how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014, on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

The couple narrated how they sold properties, borrowed money, raised funds from family and well-wishers to attempt to raise the initial 2 million dollars ransom that was demanded by Evans.

Sylvanus whose hands and legs were chained throughout his two months in captivity was only released when the family had allegedly given Evans 420,000 dollars ransom and he was at the point of death.

Recall that seven months ago, a Lagos High Court in Ikeja sentenced Evans to life imprisonment for conspiracy and kidnapping of Mr Donatius Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

This is breaking news, more details will be added as soon as it’s available.

ALSO READ: How Kidnap Kingpin, Evans Shot Young Shall Grow Motors Chairman And Killed Two Of His Escort