Lagos AG, Onigbanjo takes over prosecution of kidnap kingpin, Evans, others
Admin l Friday, August 30, 2019
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN today appeared in court as team lead in the prosecution of alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike better known as Evans.
Evans is being prosecuted along side Uche Amadi, Okechukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Victor Chukwunonso Aduba and Ogechi Uchechukwu on for two count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.
Earlier during proceedings for written addresses, head of the prosecution, Moyosore Onigbanjo urged the court presided over by Justice Hakeem Oshodi to admit in evidence confessional statements purported to have been made by all the defendants.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had countered submissions of 4th and 6th defendants,
O. Ajanaku, for 4th defendant and O. Egbodo(6) repectively who had argued that the alleged confessional statements made by their clients were obtained under duress and torture and urged the court to discountenanced them and settle for trial within trial.
“We filed in support of our written addresses reply to issues raised by the 4th and 6th defendants.
“With respect to the 4th, it is our contention that having admitted that part of his statement was written by him, it goes to say what is there cannot be denied. We urge the court to admit his statements in evidence . He averred that the 6th defendant denied writting the statement and that he was tortured and forced to sign, adding that where the defendant denies confessional statements, it not for the court to go for trial within trial but that it is for the court to determine if he made the statement or not. “I urged the court to admit statements of 4th and 6th in evidence”, he submitted.
Ajanaku had told the court that the 4th defendant denied statements he is poported to have made. According to him, when the 4th defendant gave evidence, he gave sequential statements how he was tortured, wonded, jaw open, his finger open and his boxer soaked with blood.
“He did state that on that day after some question, that he was given another boxer because the one he was wearing was soaked with blood. On that day, statement were not taken, but on Thursday, he was brought out again. That what he was made to write what was his biography”, he said. At today’s hearing, A.A Uzuokwu represented the 5th defendant while R. B.C. Ekeh stood in for first, second and third defendants.
After listening to the counsels, Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned to October 18, 2019 for ruling.
