Suspected billionaire kidnapper Evans collected N100million as ransom from the family of his victim, Donatus Duru, a witness told an Ikeja high court on Friday.
The witness, an elder brother of Donatus, Anslem Duru, made this known at the opening of the trial of Evans, whose real name is Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike.
Other defendants in the case before Justice Hakeem Oshodi are Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
The charges against them are two, which borders on conspiracy and kidnapping.
But they pleaded not guilty.
Anselm told the court that the N100million was changed to €223,000, which was the currency that the kidnappers demanded.
The victim, Donatus, was abducted sometime in February, 2016 at Ilupeju area of Lagos.
The witness said he recognised the fourth defendant, Nwachukwu, whom he had always known, and Evans, who he said he met later in the course of investigation by the police.
Anselm further said after the kidnapping, the suspected kidnappers stopped contacting the family till about two weeks after, when he got a call from a hidden number on his mobile phone.
“When I picked the call, it was Donatus’ agitated voice that I heard. He was pleading that the family should immediately go and withdraw all the funds in his bank account and deliver same to the kidnappers to prevent them from taking his life,” he said.
“Donatus told me the kidnappers insisted on a ransom of €1m, but the family could only raise N100 million, which was converted to €223,000 and delivered to them.”
Justice Oshodi later adjourned the trial till November 17 for Anselem’s cross-examination by the defence.
