Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, otherwise known as Evans, on Friday cried out that prison authorities have denied him and co-suspects food for three days in a row.
Speaking to his lawyer, Mr. Ogungbeje, earlier Friday morning before the commencement of his trial, Evans complained bitterly that he and his fellow suspects have not eaten for days.
Evans who was screaming to the hearing of journalists who were in court to cover the proceedings said: “They locked us in one place, no food, and we were not allowed to take our bath.”
His fellow suspects also confirmed the development while a senior NPS official present at the scene however denied the allegations made by Evans and his cohorts.
According to Evans, the prison authorities deprived him of change of clothes, food and access to having his bath since Wednesday.
“This is unfair, I have not been given food, and change of clothes. I was not given opportunity to bath since Wednesday. I am seriously hungry now.
“They locked us in one place, no food, no bath Evans shouted to the hearing of the reporters.
Evans lawyer, Ogungbeje was angry by the development and he sought permission to go and procure food for his clients, stating that only a living person that can be put on trial.
Evans and five others were charged with conspiracy to commit felony and kidnapping contrary to section 411 of the Criminal Law Cap 17 Laws of Lagos State 2015, claims they have since denied.
Evans co defendants are: Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba.
At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, counsel to the sixth defendant, Emmanuel Ochai also corroborated all the defendants’ claims that they had not been fed or allowed to have their bath in three days.
Responding to the allegations, the presiding judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, raised concerns about the welfare of the defendants.
“The Director of Public Prosecution should please investigate these allegations. A defendant is innocent until he is proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.
In her response, the Lagos State Prosecutor, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, told the court that the prosecution would promptly investigate the allegations.
Justice Oshodi dismissed an application by the only female defendant, Ogechi Uchechukwu asking to be released on bail.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi said he found no merit in her application for bail, noting that the defendant has no concrete base in Lagos and would constitute a flight risk.
“The 6th defendant claims that the police only arrested her because she is the wife of one of the defendants while the prosecution, claims is that the No 21, Ishaye Street, Igando apartment where the victims of the kidnapping ring were allegedly kept, was rented in her name.
“In her statement, she claimed that her husband and the 1st defendant were business partners who deal in drugs, claims which need to be proved before this court. I hereby find no merit in this application, and the defendant should be kept in custody for her own safety due to the severity of the case,” the judge ruled.
The matter however, could not go on as the 4th defendant had no legal representation.
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter until, January 19, 2018 for continuation of trial.
