Convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, was on Monday re-arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, over the alleged murder of two police officers.
The high-profile case, which was transferred from Justice Adenike Coker’s court, also involves his co-defendant, Joseph Ikenna Emeka.
At Monday’s proceedings, A. O. Azeez appeared for the Lagos State Government, while Charity O. represented Chief Emefo Etudo on behalf of Evans, and Nelson Onyejiakor appeared for Emeka.
Prosecution counsel Azeez told the court that the matter had been formally transferred and requested that the defendants be re-arraigned. He also clarified that any plea bargain applications previously filed before Justice Coker would not affect the new trial process.
The defendants were subsequently re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping, and attempted murder.
According to the prosecution, Evans and his co-defendant allegedly committed the offences on or about August 27, 2013, at about 10:00 p.m. along Third Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
The case has since been adjourned for further hearing.
Evans gained national notoriety in 2017 after being arrested by the police for masterminding a string of high-profile kidnappings targeting wealthy Nigerians. Known for demanding ransom payments in foreign currencies, he was described by authorities as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous criminal masterminds. Evans is already serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2022 for kidnapping a businessman in Lagos.
