EVANS MUST RETURN THE €233,000 DEMANDED AS RANSOM.

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, was ordered by the Lagos High Court, which is seated in Tafawa Balewa Square, to return the €233,000 in ransom money that he received from one of his victims, Chief Donatus Duru.

On February 14, 2017, the pharmacist Dunu was kidnapped by Evan. After the convicted kidnapper stole €233,000 from the victim, Duru subsequently escaped imprisonment.

As part of his ruling, Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi mandated that Evans pay the claimant N50 million in general damages.

It is established law, according to Justice Ogunjobi, that no witness who provides testimony under oath that is materially inconsistent is entitled to the honor of being given any credibility and as such does not deserve to be recognized as a truthful witness.

“In addition to presenting contradictory pieces of evidence under oath, I saw the defendant’s conduct in the witness box and came to the conclusion that the defendant is not a witness of truth.

“I do not accept his testimony. I accept the claimant’s and his witnesses’ uncontested and convincing testimony. The reliefs requested by the claimant are supported by the evidence.

The sum of Euros 233,000 in ransom that the Claimant forcedly paid to the Defendant when the Defendant abducted the Claimant in the year 2017 and held the Claimant prisoner for months is therefore entitled to be reimbursed or repaid and or recovered from the Defendant.

“The amount of N50 million is granted to the Claimant against the Defendant as general damages.

“From the date of judgment, which is February 14, 2023, until final liquidation, post-judgment interest is awarded on the aforementioned sum of Euro 233,000 at a rate of 10% per annum. It is now directed that the adjudicated sum of Euros 233,000 and N50 million be paid or recouped from the assets of the Defendant. This represents the Court’s decision.

However, the court rejected the request for the €233,000 in prejudgment interest at the rate of 40% annually.

The claimant claimed earlier in his testimony that despite Evans paying the €233,000 ransom, he did not free the victim, forcing him to flee on his own.