A LAGOS High Court in Igbosere yesterday adjourned till May 7 for the arraignment of suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, on two fresh charges.
Justice Adedayo Akintoye set the date after dismissing Evans’ two applications challenging the validity of the proposed charges filed by the Lagos State Government.
In the first of both charges seen by The Nation, Evans and three others will face a five-count charge of kidnapping and attempted murder.
The other defendants are Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
In the second charge, Evans will be arraigned on similar offences alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Akintoye said:
“Looking closely at the proof of evidence attached to the information in this case, a prima facie case has clearly been disclosed against the defendant/applicant.”
The judge said the victim in the instant case, Uche Okereafor’s wife was the person who paid the ransom, adding that the statement of the first defendant (Evans) itself alleged that the first defendant was the mastermind and gang leader of the group.
“Other defendants participated in several kidnappings and shared the ransom collected from their victims.
“The third defendant ( Ugochukwu Nwachukwu) in his own statement and proof of evidence showed that he is a member of the gang and shared in the ransom collected from victims.
“I hold therefore that the proof of evidence disclosed a prima facie case against the first and third defendant,” she said.
Evans, who was arrested by the police last June 10, was arraigned last August before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court for alleged kidnapping.
Last October 23, he was also arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of Igbosere High Court, Lagos on two separate charges.
Five charges have been preferred against Evans by the Lagos State Government.
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
