Evans Trial: Witness narrates how he paid £223,000 as ransom

One of the victims of suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans, Uchenna Okeagwu, today told the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, how he paid the kidnap kingpin the sum of £223,000 as ransom for the release of his boss, Donatus Duru. 

While being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Okeagwu narrated how his boss was kidnapped and after contacting his family members, Evans and his gang members demanded that they pay the sum of £223,000.

Okeagwu said acting on instruction from the kidnappers, he dropped the money inside a vehicle parked inside a compound somewhere around Mile 2.

“I am a manager at Maydon pharmaceutical company and have been working with them for over seven years. After we heard of the kidnap of Duru, we waited to hear from the kidnappers so we will know what to do to rescue him. 

As the manager of the Idumota branch, we worked towards raising money for the kidnappers when they asked for ransom. After about two months, I was called by Anselm Duru, Donatus’ brother to come and deliver the money to the kidnappers that they have raised £223,000. After counting the money, we put it in a polythene bag and wrapped it very well with sellotape and I went with the money.

Anselm gave me his telephone 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 passengers’ seat in the front and I moved out of the compound towards Mile 2,” he explained.

Duru was the last victim allegedly kidnapped by the group before their arrest in June last year.

Further proceedings in the matter has been adjourned till June 22.