Suspected kidnapper, Chukwudi Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, will be arraigned today on 52 charges bordering on murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed that the suspect would be arraigned alongside members of his gang before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, will lead the prosecution team.
Punch quotes a senior police officer as saying the suspect would face similar charges at the Edo State High Court.
“Investigation into crimes committed by Evans has been concluded before the expiration of the 90 days remand order granted by the Federal High Court.
“Evan’s first case is the kidnap of Mr. Donatus Dunu in Ilupeju, Lagos whom he collected N150m ransom from. The case will be coming up in Ikeja High Court 18 before Justice Oshodi on Wednesday (today).
“Evans and 15 of his gang members have so far been arrested and are facing 14 substantive cases (10 in Lagos and four in Edo State), carrying 52 charges of multiple murders, armed robberies, kidnappings, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, among others,” the source said.
The charges against the so-called billionaire kidnapper were prepared by the Force Legal Department and the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions before the state High Court and Edo State High Court Benin.
“Wednesday’s case is one of the 14 cases. Evans and five of his gang members who participated in Mr. Donatus Dunu’s kidnapping will be arraigned.
“The remaining 13 cases relating to 13 more victims and other gang members of Evans not yet arraigned will come up on subsequent dates that the respective high courts and Federal High Court will schedule,” the source added.
Evans was arrested at his Magodo, Lagos home on June 10, after the police had trailed him for five years.
He is accused of carrying out many high-profile armed robberies in the southwest and southeast of the country.
He was said to have collected billions of naira as ransom from his victims, including expatriates, business moguls and public office holders.
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday failed to deliver judgement in a N300m fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Evans.
Justice Abdulaziz Anka did not deliver judgement after the Nigeria Police filed a fresh application.
The case was adjourned until September 5 for hearing.
