Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, was on Wednesday arraigned before a vacation judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly kidnapping one Dunu Donatus.
Evans was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang which included a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the third defendant.
Others are – Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba.
They are second, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants respectively.
The accused persons have been in police custody since June 10.
The Lagos State Government had preferred a two- count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping against them.
The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 411 and 271(3) Criminal Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under same.
The prosecution team was led by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, while the defence was led by Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje.
At 9:30 a.m., Justice Oshodi entered the court room while the court registrar proceeded to read the charges thereafter.
In count one, the defendants were alleged to have “on February 14, 2017 at 7:45 p.m. along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, conspired to commit felony to wit kidnapping.”
In count two, they were alleged to have, “between February 14 and April 12, 2017along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, while armed with guns and other weapons did capture, detain and collect a ransom of 223,000 Euros from one Dunu Donatus for release.”
The charge sheet, ID/5970c/2017 was signed by the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms T. K. Shitta-Bey.
Evans, Amadi and Nwachukwu entered a guilty plea.
His other three accomplices – Uchechukwu, Ifeanyi and Aduba – pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Kazeem asked the court for adjournment for trial of those who pleaded not guilty.
In respect of Evans and two others who entered guilty plea, he said the adjournment would enable prosecution lay the facts of the matter before them for their affirmation and the court for sentencing.
Justice Oshodi remanded all the defendants at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
The only female amongst them, Ogechi Uchechukwu was remanded at the Female Prison, Kirikiri.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till October 19 for trial.
After the arraignment of the suspect that lasted less than 30 minutes, Kazeem told journalists that he was satisfied with the way the trial commenced.
But Ogungbeje disagreed.
He suspected that Evans and other two may have been told to enter a guilty plea.
“For now, let’s wait and see what happens. But the point must be made that we were not allowed to confer with our clients.
“For now, whether we are satisfied or not, we would keep our gun powder dry,” he said.
Court sources said Evans and others were driven into the court premises as early as 6:00 a.m. amidst tight security by prison officials, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) personnel in full combat gear.
- The Nation
