A British trained Nigerian, Ayodele Olaoye, 28, told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos State how a female friend, Esther Phillips, conspired with others to kidnap, torture and rob him.
Phillips was arraigned alongside Patricia Nna, Kingsley Okonwa, Osita Adigwe, Uzochukwu Ezioha, Jude Sunday and Michael Olarenwaju on March 5 on a five count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and neglect to prevent felony preferred against them by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Testifying at the resumed hearing of the trial, Olaoye, a graduate of Greenwich School of Business Management, United Kingdom, told Justice Olabisi Akinlade that N5 million ransom was collected from his parent by the suspects.
Led in evidence by Mr. Ade Ipaye, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Olaoye said he met Phillips sometimes in February 2012 at Pegas Club in Opebi, Lagos.
He said the first defendant (Philips) gave her name as Jane and claimed to be a student of Lagos State University (LASU).
He said he had sex twice with her and thereafter struck friendship with her.
Speaking further, he said on April 22, 2012, she urged him to visit her hostel in LASU and he agreed because he “trusted her”.
Olaoye said:
I drove my Nissan Muranno jeep to pick her up at GTB Bank in Opebi and we started moving towards LASU with Miss Phillips giving the directions. We later picked up Nna (second defendant) at Dopemu. She told me that the lady was her school mate.
After driving for some time, they told me to stop at an isolated place because they were feeling pressed.
The witness said immediately he stopped the car, the trio of Okonwa, Adigwe and Ezioha, entered the car through the back door. Olaoye said they were armed with a battle axe and knives and dragged him to the back seat.
They took my mobile phone, wrist watch and necklace. “After, I was tied up, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination by the first to fifth accused persons.
They told me to cooperate or they will kill me. Phillips specifically told me to try and convince my parents to pay the money or the guys will kill me.
Justice Akinlade, however, adjourned the matter till May 17 for cross examination.
No comments:
Post a Comment