How Police hid me in toilet when Falana visited – Evans
Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, has recalled how the Police treated him when rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, stormed the office he was kept after his arrest in 2017.
Evans told Justice Adedayo Akintoye a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that the police hid him in the toilet of office of the Lagos Coordinator of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Response Team, Mr Phillip, a Chief Superintendent (CSP).
He alleged that the lawyer was contacted by his wife, (Uchenna Precious Onwuamadike) shortly after his arrest.
Evans made the claims on Friday while testifying in a trial within trial to determine whether his confessional statement to the police should be admitted by the court.
Lagos State Government which is prosecuting Evans on kidnapping, murder and attempted murder charges before the judge, insists the
suspect’s statement was voluntarily made.
Haruna, a member of the IGP Response Team which arrested Evans, said he never requested for a lawyer and none of his family members was present when the confessional statement was made.
“The statement was recorded in an open office. He (Evans) was cautioned in English and he narrated the story of his involvement in the kidnapping of victims”, Nation quoted him as saying.
CSP Phillip said: “The defendant was brought to my office after his statement was taken. I read the statement to him and asked him if he was forced to make the statement. He (Evans) said no.”
“Evans was in a good mood when he was brought before me by Inspector Idowu. He was very okay, he looked healthy, hence I asked him questions about the confessional statement.”
But, led in evidence by his counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, Evans disputed their version of events.
He accused the police of assaulting him, and, after allegedly murdering several suspects in his presence in a “Saddam Hussein” style execution, he was terrorised into signing an already prepared confessional statement he never made.
Explaining Falana’s knowledge of his arrest, Evans said: “Immediately after my arrest, my wife called Femi Falana SAN, he came to SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad).”
He claimed that CSP Phillip told two armed policemen to hide him inside his office toilet and to tell the SAN that he (Evans) was not around.
Evans said: “I heard Phillip greet him, ‘Good afternoon sir.’ Falana said he wanted to see me.”
According to him, Phillip told the lawyer that he had been taken out for investigation, but the SAN warned the police against summarily executing him.
Evans, in tears, said: “Falana warned him that he did not want to hear that I had been taken for investigation only to be shot dead.
“He said he didn’t want to hear that I was trying to escape and then I was shot dead. He told them that if I had committed any offence, I should be charged to court.”
The defendant repeated his claims under cross-examination by prosecuting counsel, Mr Y. G. Oshoala.
Justice Akintoye adjourned till December 10 for continuation of trial.
