Photo of court gavel and convicted billionaire kidnapper, Evans
Lagos State Government has again brought convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike—widely known as Evans—before the court, this time over the alleged murder of two police officers.
Evans was re-arraigned on Monday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Ikeja High Court, following the transfer of the case from Justice Adenike Coker.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the State Counsel, Olawale Azeez, announced appearance for the prosecution, while Charity Odu stood in for Chief Emefo Etudo, representing Evans. Joseph Emeka, Evans’ co-defendant, was represented by Nelson Onyejaka.
Azeez informed the court that the matter had been reassigned and therefore required a fresh arraignment, regardless of any earlier plea bargain application filed by the defendant before the previous judge.
The court proceeded with the re-arraignment of both defendants on an amended five-count charge, which includes allegations of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Evans and his co-accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution alleged that on August 27, 2013, around 10 p.m., Evans and his accomplice killed two police officers—Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi—along Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos.
It was also noted in court that Evans is currently facing five separate criminal trials linked to kidnapping and murder, and has already been convicted in two of them.
The charges, according to the prosecution, are in violation of Section 221 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.
Justice Ogala adjourned the matter to November 19 for the commencement of hearing and the issuance of witness summons.
NAN
