How I raised $420,000 ransom for release of my husband allegedly kidnapped by Evans, others ― Witness

A businesswoman, Mrs Chimebere Ahamonu, has narrated to an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State how she raised a ransom of $420,000 for the freedom of her husband.

Chimebere’s husband, Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu, was allegedly kidnapped by suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans and his gang on June 23, 2014, on Kara Road, off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.

She gave her testimony online via the Zoom App on Friday during the continuation of the trial of Evans and a dismissed member of the Nigeria Army, Victor Aduba, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The witness said that she spoke to her husband in the morning of the day of the abduction, but did not sense anything amiss until the evening when he was not answering his phone.

“Then, I was not living in Lagos, I was in Onitsha. I started calling everyone we knew that I did not hear from him. A week later, a man called my line with a hidden number that my husband was kidnapped.

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“Another week later, the same man called me and demanded $2 million for his release. I shouted because I had never seen that kind of money before. I started calling family and well-wishers for help,” she said.

Chimebere said another week later, the same man called her, demanding the ransom and she told him that she could only raise N5 million.

“He said that I was not serious and that if I did not come up with the $2 million, I am not ready to see my husband alive. He said even if it is $100,000 I should bring it,” she said.

The businesswoman said that she sold properties, sought donations from family and friends and managed to raise $200,000 which she sent to Lagos to her brother-in-law to deliver the ransom.

She said that she received a phone call a week later demanding for more money and warning her never to send the brother-in-law to deliver any ransom because he had reported them to the police.

Chimebere said that fearing for the safety of her spouse; she raised another $200,000 and came to Lagos to deliver the ransom herself alongside a relative who escorted her to the drop-off site.

“After dropping the $200,000, he called me again to demand for some more money. I told him I have no more money, that people were even calling me a scam because of the way I was appealing for funds.

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“I managed to raise $20,000 and it was after then that my husband was released. He instructed that my husband must be taken immediately to the hospital so that he would not die,” she said.

While being cross-examined by Evans’ counsel, Mr Victor Opara, Chimebere narrated the circumstances surrounding the delivery of the second tranche of $200,000 ransom.

She said she was unfamiliar with Lagos and had to be accompanied by a relative to drop off the ransom under the cover of darkness.

“I was communicating with the person on the phone throughout the process. I recognised the voice. It was the same voice that had been calling me,” she said.

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Following her evidence, the prosecutor announced that the state will be closing its case against Evans and Aduba.

The two defendants are facing a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case till February 4, 2022, for the defence to open its case.

NAN