Mr. Anselm Dunu, the elder brother of Donatus Dunu, the Chairman of Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, who was kidnapped on February 14, 2017, allegedly by kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias Evans claimed on Friday that a strange voice instructed him where to drop the ransom money.
Dunu made the claim while being cross-examined by Evans’ counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje before an Ikeja High Court. Dunu however said he could not recognise the owner of the voice.
Upon further cross-examination, Dunu said he only acted on the orders of the ‘voice’ that told him where to drop the ransom money, adding that he did not suspect anyone.
Dunu is the first prosecution witness in Lagos State’s kidnap case against Evans and five others. He gave evidence, recollecting that he paid 233,000 Euros to secure the release of his brother from the kidnappers’ den.
Evans is standing trial alongside five other members of his gang namely Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba.
They were arraigned on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy, which they all pleaded not guilty to.
At Friday’s proceedings, Dunu further said that he only met Evans for the first time at the Lagos State Police Command.
“I never suspected him of kidnapping my brother. I only gave instructions to my cousin on where to drop the ransom money as instructed by the voice on the phone,” he said.
Dunu went on to describe the voice as muffled and unrecognisable.
The proposed cross-examination could not go on as the 4th defendant had no legal representation, a situation which compelled the presiding judge, Justice Hakeem to adjourn the matter to March 2, for continuation of cross-examination, and to rule on a bail application brought by the 6th defendant.
Earlier, Director of Lagos State Prosecution, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, accused the 4th defendant of trying to frustrate the trial.
“My Lord, the 4th defendant at the last adjourned date did not have legal representation and this is also the case today. The court should take notice of the Supreme Court’s ruling on unnecessary delays in trials,” she said.
Ogungbeje, who had earlier represented the 4th defendant, said he pulled out because the defendant did not perfect his brief (payment).