Re-arraignment of Kidnap Kingpin, Evans, Suffers Setback

The re-arraignment of a kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwamadike, also known as Evans, on Thursday, suffered a setback due to the absence of two other co-defendants.

Evans and three others—Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze, and Udeme Upong—were brought before Justice Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court.

While Evans and Emeka, the first and second defendants, were present in court, Arinze and Upong, the third and fourth defendants, were absent.

Justice Coker asked the prosecution about the whereabouts of the other two defendants and why they failed to appear before the court.

She urged the prosecution to tidy its house and ensure that the counsels are served with proof of evidence before the next adjourned date.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter until Feb. 1 for arraignment.

The Lagos State Prosecutor, Ms Titi Adeegbe, told the court that the third and fourth defendants were absent, and she has no information about their current status.

Earlier, the defense counsel, representing Evans, Ms Mary Dibiaeze, reminded the court that the third defendant had died, while the fourth defendant was discharged from the case.

The counsel to the second defendant, Mr Nelson Onyejaka, informed the court that they had not been served proof of evidence by the prosecution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi sometime in Feb. 2022.

Evans and his co-defendants were later sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by retired Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo prior to her retirement. (NAN)