The Lagos State government on Thursday re-arraigned billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before the state high court sitting in Ikeja for the murder of two police officers and the attempted kidnapping of Chief Obianodo Vincent, the owner of Young Shall Grow Transport Company.
Evans was arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka before Justice Adenike Coker on a five-count charge of murder and attempted kidnapping.
The prosecution informed the court that Evans and his co-defendant committed the offences on August 27, 2013, at Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After their pleas were taken, State Counsel Sule Yusuf informed the court that the first defendant, Evans, had applied for plea bargaining through his counsel, Emefo Etudo; the lawyer confirmed this.
Addressing the court, Etudo stated, “Our primary concern is to pursue the plea bargain application to the Lagos State government on behalf of the defendants.”
He also informed the court that the federal government had given Evans a second chance by offering him a scholarship. He added that the defendant has obtained his National Certificate in Education (NCE) and aspires to pursue a PhD.
Chief Etudo stated, “We are not objecting to his remand, and while he is in custody, he is receiving an education.”
In response, Sule noted that the application is now up to the committee on plea bargaining to review.
Chief Etudo added, “If he is given a second chance, he will not misuse it.”
Justice Coker then remanded the defendants and adjourned the case until March 20, 2025, for further reports on the plea bargain.
It will be remembered that Evans was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi in February 2022.
Evans and his co-defendants were also sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on September 19, 2022, by retired Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo before her retirement.
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