The convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans and his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, charged with murder and attempted kidnap have opted for an option of plea bargain.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state lead counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, informed the court about the plea bargain option on Thursday when the case was called for re-arraignment.
Victims Paid Millions in Naira & Dollars to Kidnap Kingpin Evans for their Release
The case was called for re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Cokers of an Ikeja High Court.
NAN reports that Evans and his co-defendant were to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.
Sule informed the court that the case was for re-arraignment but he was aware the defendants have applied for plea.
The prosecutor, however, said the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
Their re-arraignment was stalled on Thursday due to absence of Evans’s counsel, but lead state counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, informed the court that the defendants had applied for plea bargain.
Sule said that the plea bargain option was being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
Justice Adenike Coker adjourned the case until June 13 for re-arraignment of Evans and Emeka.
Coker also directed Evans to ensure availability of his counsel in court on June 13.
“In view of the absence of counsel to the first defendant, this case is hereby adjourned until June 13, and the first defendant is directed to ensure his counsel is in court.
“There is no excuse for his absence.
“In the light of the amendment charge before the court, the case against the third and the fourth defendants are strucked out,” the judge said.
NAN reports that Evans and Emeka were to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Counsel to the second defendant, Mr Nelson Onyejaka, was in court.
Sule told the court that he spoke with Evans’s counsel concerning the case and he did not know why he was not in court.
”I am aware that the defendants have applied for plea bargain but it is being considered by the attorney-general.
“We have an amended charge, my lord, because the fourth defendant has been convicted while the third defendant died in prison.
“We shall be asking for another date for re-arraignment of the defendants,” Sule said.
Evans and Emeka had been standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo before her retirement.
They allegedly killed Messrs Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi on Aug. 27, 2013, in Festac Town, Lagos State.
They are also charged with attempting to kidnap the Chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo.
NAN reports that in February 2022, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja high court sentenced Evans to life imprisonment for the kidnap of Chief Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
In September 2022, another judge of the court, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, also Evans to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family. (NAN)
Previous conviction
An Ikeja Special Offences Court in 2022 sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans’ accomplice, Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier, was also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on a four-count charge bordering on kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Delivering judgement, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of kidnap and possession of firearms against the convicts.
Details shortly……
