Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the police to pay him N1 billion over “unlawful” sealing of his properties in Lagos.
Evans filed the suit through his counsel, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje.
He wants the N1billion as “general and exemplary damages for the alleged forceful seizure and confiscation of the properties without a court order.”
The applicant is also seeking N4 million as cost of action against five co-respondents.
The respondents are – the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force, IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari and Deputy Superintendent Phillip Rieninwa.
No date has been fixed for hearing on the matter.
The affected properties include N50 million cash, two residential duplexes, a Brigade wrist-watch valued at $170,000, a phone worth $30,000 and five pieces of Saphono Rucci Diamond rings worth $100,000.
Others are – three Italian travel bags worth $55,000, 10 Spanish shoes each worth N2.5 million, 20 KVA inverter set worth N10 million and two sets of dining table worth N8 million.
Other reliefs sought by Evans include a declaration that the alleged forcible seizure, confiscation and sealing of his property without any court order are illegal, wrongful and unconstitutional.
Furthermore, he wants an order compelling the respondents jointly and severally to immediately and unconditionally release the properties.
In addition, the kidnap kingpin is asking the court for an order compelling the respondents to immediately and unconditionally unseal and vacate the two residential houses located in Magodo area of Lagos.
Lastly, he prayed for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from tampering or taking any action against him or any of his properties in relation to the case.
Evans was arrested by the police in June 10 last year.
He was arraigned in August before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for alleged kidnapping.
Evans was also arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on two separate charges on October 23.
Two other charges are also pending against him before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the same court.
This brings to five the charges preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
The Nation
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
