Lagos Nigeria – In a significant development in the protracted legal saga of one of Nigerias most notorious criminals convicted billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans has been rearraigned before a Lagos State High Court The new proceedings centre on charges related to the murder of police officers .
Evans and his codefendant Joseph Emeka were arraigned before Justice A O Ogala on an amended fivecount charge The charges are grave bordering on murder attempted murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping Both defendants entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges read against them .
The Amended FiveCount Charge
The prosecution led by state counsel announced to the court that the trial would commence de novo anew prompting the rearraignment The specifics of the murder charges relate to an incident alleged to have occurred on or about August 27 2013 at approximately 1000 pm along 3rd Avenue FESTAC Town Lagos .
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The prosecution alleged that Evans and Joseph Emeka were responsible for the killing of two individuals identified as Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi on the same day While the victims names are mentioned the official charge connects the act to the murder of police officers in the course of their criminal activities .
The Push for Plea Bargain and Claim of Remorse
Following the notguilty plea the proceedings took a notable turn when Evans legal team through his counsel Emefo Etudo informed the court of an active application for a plea bargain submitted to the Lagos State Government .
Mr Etudo strongly advocated for clemency presenting Evans as a repentant person who has undergone a significant transformation while in custody The lawyer highlighted his clients dedication to academic pursuits revealing that Evans is currently a 200level student at the National Open University a feat reportedly made possible through a scholarship from the Federal Government Furthermore the counsel noted that Evans achieved an A1 grade in all his papers in the National Examinations Council NECO while incarcerated .
In his plea to the court and the Lagos State Government Evans through his counsel offered to surrender all his property as part of the plea bargain agreement The legal team has proposed that if granted a second chance Evans is willing to tour schools in the state to counsel youths against the dangers of crime The prosecution confirmed receipt of the plea bargain application stating that the appropriate committee of the state government would examine it .
Evans Extensive Legal Battles
The rearraignment over the police officers killing adds another layer to the extensive legal challenges facing the notorious kidnap kingpin Evans a native of Nnewi Anambra State and sometimes dubbed The Billionaire Kidnapper was arrested in June 2017 after years of evading law enforcement across multiple states and collecting millions of dollars in ransoms .
He is currently facing numerous criminal cases across different courts in Lagos involving over 52 charges ranging from multiple murders and armed robberies to kidnappings and unlawful possession of firearms .
The latest murder charge marks one of several ongoing trials Evans has already been convicted in two separate cases .
- Life “Imprisonment February 2022 Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court sentenced Evans to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Donatus Dunu the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd .
- 21 Years Imprisonment September 2022 Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences Court sentenced Evans to 21 years for the kidnapping of businessman Sylvanus Ahamonu .
The rearraignment and the subsequent plea bargain application underscore the complexity and highstakes nature of the ongoing prosecution as the state seeks justice for the police officers deaths while the defense argues for rehabilitation .
The court has adjourned the matter to March 20 2025 to receive the report on the plea bargain application
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the court proceedings of a highprofile case Readers should crosscheck updates from official news outlets and court records for the final and authoritative details of the cases outcome .