Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, and two others, Uchenna Amadi and Okuchuwkwu Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to life in prison by the Lagos High Court in Ikeja.
On Friday, Justice Hakeem Oshodi sentenced the trio after convicting them on two charges of conspiracy and kidnapping of Donatus Duru, a businessman.
Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s Managing Director is the victim.
Justice Oshodi found the men guilty after concluding that the prosecution had proven the accusation against them beyond a reasonable doubt.
Evans’ verdict was based on the judge’s observations of the witness’ demeanor, indicating that in some of the confessional films aired in court, Evans named several of the other defendants and their roles 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.”
He came to the conclusion that the evidence presented in court, particularly their video admissions, proved their guilt.
Because there was insufficient evidence linking Ogechi Uchechukwu and two former Nigerian Army troops, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba, to the crime, the court discharged and acquitted them.
Evans, together with Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba, were charged with kidnapping Donatus Dunu, the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited, on February 14, 2017.
The state had claimed that the convicts committed the alleged offence between February 14 and April 12, 2017.
The prosecution had further told the court that the incident took place at about 7:45 pm, along Obokun Street, in the Ilupeju area of Lagos.
The prosecution told the court that on April 12, Evans alongside the other five defendants while armed with guns and other weapons captured, detained and collected a ransom of 223,000 euros from Donatus for his release.
The Lagos State government subsequently arraigned the defendants before the court in August 2017.
In all, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including the victim, Dunu while the defence presented six witnesses including Evans who testified in his own defence.
Evans is also facing similar charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo and Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the same court.