Court has granted the prayers of two scared witnesses to testify against kidnap kingpin, Evans, via an online platform, Zoom
By Kehinde Okeowo
An Ikeja court has granted the prayers of two witnesses who are scared to appear in person to testify against suspected kidnap kingpin,Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans to do so virtually.
Evans and his co-conspirator, Victor Aduba, a dismissed soldier, are standing trial on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
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Oluwatoyin Taiwo, presiding judge of the Ikeja special offences court, in charge of the case, on Monday, ruled on the application of state prosecutors, S.O. Fashola, who asked for permission of the court to allow two prosecution witnesses to be heard virtually
.
“This court is satisfied that the prosecution has given cogent reasons why section 210 of the Evidence Act 2011 and section 200(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law as amended should avail the prosecution,” the judge ruled.
“It is stated on the affidavit that the witnesses are concerned for their lives and that of their families and they now live outside the jurisdiction of the court.
“In the light of this and in the interest of justice and expedite action, I hereby grant the application as prayed.
“The case is adjourned to December 17 for hearing. The prosecution should ensure that necessary arrangements are made.” the judge added.
Mr Fashola and the state legal team accused Evans and Aduba of kidnapping one Sylvanus Ahamonu and holding him hostage.
They also argued that he was held for at least nine weeks, while the accused demanded a ransom of $420,000 from his family.