Notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans created a mild drama at the Igbosere High Court on Monday following his refused to come down from the prison van, also known as Black Maria.
Evans broke down in tears while
claiming maltreatment at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, in Apapa, Lagos.
He told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that he was not well fed by the prison officials who, he claimed were “taking his case personal”.
According to him, he is being kept in solitary confinement and has been denied access to his visitors.
His complaints followed continuation of proceedings in a series of kidnap, murder and attempted murder charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government since his arrest in June 10, 2017, in his Lagos mansion.
Lagos State Government had brought a fresh charge bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder against Evans and three others.
Evans was charged alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
When the case was mentioned, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, told the court that Evans refused to disembark from black Maria.
The judge, consequently, ordered prison warders to bring him forcefully into the court.
He was then brought into the court barefooted with his back filled with sand and his green Tee-shirt torn on the right shoulder.
When docked, he raised his hands to be giving audience.
“I have an explanation to make; since I have been in the maximum prison, they have been maltreating me: no visit, they don’t feed me well, I have eye problem and I cannot see far.
“What have I done to you people? They have been beating me, there is no good food, I have been locked up in one place since August 30, last year. Why are they taking my case personal?
“Let me face my trial alive; why do you people want to kill me?’’ Evans cried.
However a prison warder from Kirikiri Maximum Prison, told the court that Evans was well cared for.
The warder also said a doctor has been seeing Evans after he complained about his health.
The warder said: “We have been treating him very well; he is well fed, and people have been visiting him; a doctor has been checking him; the doctor checked him yesterday and even this morning before he was brought to court.
“The doctor says he is healthy and can be brought to court.”
Okpara’s counsel, Mr Ogedi Ogu, also told the court that his client complained of maltreatment.
In her response, the DPP said that Evans made it up.
“This was exactly what Evans said before an Ikeja High Court.
Justice Akintoye, however, asked the authorities of the prison to ensure that the accused were well taken care of, noting that they were still presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case has been adjourned until May 25 for trial.
Nigeria and drama. What a wonderful country!