KIDNAP TRIAL: WITNESS TELLS COURT HOW EVANS REQUEST HIM TO SWAP WITH KIDNAPPED BROTHER

“The instruction from the voice that usually called me was that when I get the naira, I must change it into cripsy 100 dollar bills and if there is any fake 100 dollar, I will pay a fine of 10,000 dollars. My brother (the victim) also pleaded with me not to make arrangements with security agents so that the kidnappers will not kill him’.

“On the day I dropped the first ransom of 200, 000 dollars, the kidnappers instructed me with phone where to drop the money. I was made to drive round Lagos before they finally instructed me to drop it along Cele expressway at about 2.20 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2015,” Edwin said.

He further told the court that the second ransom tranche of 800, 000 dollars, was paid by his relative, Izuchukwu Ezeuko, adding that the 800, 000 dollars was paid in the Eastern part of the country.

He said, the Anambra-born high-profile kidnapper, known for kidnapping mainly billionaires declared that, when the money was taking time to be gathered, he asked that he be swapped with his brother (James) so that James could get home and source the money quickly.

The witness also recalled that he had to change all the money into dollars through bureau de change, adding that the ransom was paid in two installments of 200, 000 and 800, 000 dollars, respectively.

In the same vein, an assistant driver to the victim, Donatus Nwoye, who was another witness at the court said he sustained bullet wound at his left shoulder when the kidnappers were shooting sporadically, adding that, “I was taken to the hospital by some commercial motorcyclists after the incident,”.

However, Counsel to the accused, E. C. Obiagwu, faulted the witness’s statement, arguing that the phone conversation he allegedly had with the kidnappers were not mentioned in his statement at the police station.

Penpushing reports that, Evans is currently facing two separate charges, bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder, while in the first charge, he is standing trial alongside one Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba, and the second charge he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

Meanwhile Justice Adedayo Akintoye,after listening to the argument adjourned the case until October 4 for continuation of hearing.