I was into haulage business, not kidnapping, Evans tells court – Newstrends
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I was into haulage business, not kidnapping, Evans tells court

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Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans

Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, said on Friday that he was innocent of the charges slammed against him before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.

Evans, who is facing four counts of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms, claimed that he was not a criminal but was into the legitimate business of haulage and had about 30 workers on his payroll.

He claimed that he was made to confess to the crime under duress.

Evans, who is being tried alongside an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba, stated this during the continuation of his trial on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Evans denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 ransom from his family.

While being cross-examined by the state prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule, he vehemently denied knowing Ahamonu prior to seeing him after his arrest.

When Sule noted that Ahamonu had identified him when he testified virtually (via the Zoom app) in court, Evans said he was easily identifiable.

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“Ahamonu and Idowu Haruna (the Investigating Police Officer) could have conspired with the police.

“My pictures are everywhere, all over the world. Before my picture was everywhere, people knew who I was.

“I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff (members) and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin.”

The alleged kidnap kingpin said he had made no mention of his haulage and logistics business in his statement because it was written by the police.

Responding to questions, Evans said he also did not provide medical documents proving his alleged torture by the police to the court.

He, however, noted that while he was incarcerated, he had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the police at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged torture.

Explaining why he was seen in a jovial mood in the confessional video played in the court when prosecution presented its case, Evans said he was forced to act in that manner by the police.

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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

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Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.

It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.

A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.

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The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.

“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.

“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”

Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

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IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

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Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”

IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.

The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.

“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.

By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

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Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

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Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.

According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

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