By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent)
The suspected kidnap kingpin Mr Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans who is remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons Lagos, having been charged before Lagos State High Court on multiple trials over alleged kidnapping, murder and other criminal offences, on Monday May 7 complained to
Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a High Court of Lagos State sitting at Igbosere, alleging that officials of Kirikiri Maximum Prison are maltreating him.
He made the complaint to the judge before he was arraigned on a fresh two counts charge of kidnapping.
The suspect who broke down in tears while informing the judge of his ordeal in the hands of prison officials had earlier refused to step out from the prison van in protest.
But he was eventually brought into the courtroom by warders on the order of Justice Akintoye.
Evans who walked into the courtroom bare-footed and in handcuffs, wore a pair of shorts and a green T-shirt torn on the shoulder with sand stain on the back, had immediately he entered the dock, indicated to the judge that he had something to say and the judge obliged him.
Evans said, “I have an explanation to make.
“Since I have been in the maximum prison, they have been maltreating me; no visit, they don’t feed me well, I have eye problem and I can not see afar.”
However, in refuting the claims of Evans, an official of the prison said, “We have been treating him very well; he is well fed and people have been visiting him.
“A doctor has been checking him; the doctor came to check him yesterday (Sunday) and even this morning, before coming to court; because he was saying he cannot be in court, that he is not feeling fine.
“But when the doctor checked him yesterday (Sunday) and this morning, the doctor said he was healthy and that he saw no reason why he should not be in court.”
Reacting to the development after seeking the opinion of counsel to the Lagos State government, Justice Akintoye instructed that the prison officials should ensure that Evans together with other defendants are well treated in prison like other inmates.
The judge noted that the defendants are still presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
She thereafter adjourned the matter till May 25, for commencement of trial.