CrimeHighlight

The second arraignment of alleged billionaire kidnap kingpin, Evans, stalled in Lagos

104

The arraignment of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans at an Igbosere High Court in Lagos Island on fresh charges, was on Monday temporarily stalled as his lawyer brought an application seeking to quash the charges.

The Lagos State Government had slammed the fresh charges on Evan, who was hauled up before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo over alleged attempt to kidnap the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Mr Vincent Obianodo.

Following the application, the judge fixed Evans’ arraignment for Oct. 27.

Evans, who was arrested on June 10, was brought to court alongside other defendants.

In the first charge, Evans was docked with one Victor Aduba on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

They were accused of conspiring and kidnapping one Sylvanus Hafia.

In the second charge, Evans was docked with three other defendants — Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze, and Udeme Upong.

They are facing a seven-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to commit murder, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms.

When the case came up on Friday, the courtroom was packed with a battery of reporters, lawyers and armed security men.

Counsel to Evans, Ogungbeje, told the court that the charge was only served on him this morning and objected to the arraignment of the defendants.

“We got a wind that our client will be arraigned this morning; so, we brought a motion challenging the competence of the charge based on the issue of jurisdiction,” Ogungbeje said.

The lawyer also said that the Prosecutor, Ms T. K. Shitta-Bey, the State Director for Public Prosecutions, had replied his motion on notice with a counter-affidavit.

He, therefore, told the court:“We intend to reply the counter-affidavit on points of law. We ask for a short adjournment to enable us reply on points of law.

“It is also a settled law that when an application challenging seeking to quash a charge is brought, such application should be taken first before any arraignment because when plea is taken, it means trial has started.”

The counsel to other defendants, Mr Emmanuel Ochai and Mr Ogedi Ogu, however, did not object to the arraignment of the defendants.

Ochai said: “We were served with the charge this morning, since we are seeing the charge for first time, we do not wish to join issues, we live it at the discretion of the court.”

The prosecutor, however, earlier told the court that the business of the day was arraignment of the defendants.

Shitta-Bey said the charge was served personally on the defendants on Aug. 28, adding that it was in compliance with the provisions of Section 87 (1) Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Lagos State.

She said the application seeking to quash the charge should not be allowed.

“The application is not ripe for hearing, we were only served on Friday evening Oct. 20, we have diligently replied by filing a counter-affidavit.

“It is my humble submission that the business of the day be allowed to go on.”

Shitta-Bey, afterwards conceded to the defendant counsel’s argument and said that the pending applications should be heard first.

The judge, consequently, adjourned the case until Oct. 27 for hearing pending of applications.

The lawyers to the defendants, however, declined press interview after the short proceedings.
Evans had on Oct. 19 at an Ikeja High Court made a U-turn as he entered a plea of `not guilty’ as he was re-arraigned on a two-count amended charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

On Aug. 30, Evans had at his arraignment pleaded guilty to the charges, while other alleged accomplices — Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the only female defendant, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba — denied the charges.

They were charged with the kidnap of Mr Donatius Duru on Aug. 30.

The punishment section in the second count of amended charge was changed from Section 271 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State to Section 2(1) of the Kidnap Prohibition Law of the Laws of Lagos 2017.

According to the prosecution led by Ms. P.K. Shitta-bey, the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Evans and his accomplices committed the offence of conspiracy at 7.45 p.m. on Feb. 14 on Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.

The prosecution said the defendants between Feb. 14 and April 12 at Obokun Street, Ilupeju, while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, captured and detained Duru.

The defendants allegedly collected a ransom of 223,000 euros for the release of Donatius.

Before the amended charges were read to the defendants, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, the counsel to Evans and Amadi had opposed the reading of the charges to them.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Atiku’s campaign DG switches loyalty, drums support for Tinubu, Fubara

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who...

Just in: FCT court discharges, acquits ex-AGF Adoke in OPL 245 fraud charge

The FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed the charges...

63-year-old woman, teenage girl, two others killed in U.S. stabbing spree

A man armed with a knife went on a stabbing spree in...

FG to collect only nine types of taxes, says FIRS chairman

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says in line with the presidential...

After 14 days in detention, First News editor, Segun Olatunji, breathes air of freedom

The Editor of FirstNews, a digital newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday regained...

N3trn budget padding: Sen. Ningi threatens legal action if suspension is not lifted in seven days

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central, has given Senate President Godswill...

Eniola Ajao apologizes over “AJAKAJU” movie premiere controversy

Actress Eniola Ajao has issued an apology to the public in the...

Ex-Presidential media aide, Akande criticises LP’s leadership, urges party’s alignment with national interest

Mr. Laolu Akande, a former presidential assistant, has expressed dissatisfaction with the...

Economic hardship: Ogun Govt. begins sale of rice at 50 percent price reduction to workers, public

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will start selling...

FG committed to steel industry revitalization to drive infrastructural development, says Industry Minister, Dr Uzoka-Anite

The Federal Government is committed to industry rehabilitation, with a focus on...

Easter: FG declares Friday, March 29, Monday, April 1 public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1,...

Fake, unwholesome products: NAFDAC seals 10 bakeries, 8 table water factories in Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) has shut down...

Climate change, food security: AfDB approves $50 million for Yobe State

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has granted a $50 million loan...

Ex Guinea-Bissau President’s Son Jailed in U.S. for Drug Trafficking

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau,...

Few weeks to party primary, leading Ondo APC governorship aspirant, Dr. Paul Akintelure, passes away

Dr. Paul Akintelure, a prominent candidate for governorship in Ondo State who...

IPOB, bandits using betting sites, crowdsourcing to finance terrorism – NFIU

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits, and other terror organizations are...

EU launches €9m energy projects in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has unveiled two new initiatives worth €9 million...

Don’t sell dollar above N1,269, CBN orders Bureau de Change

As part of measures to strengthen the naira against the dollar, the...

Chinese man to die by hanging for stabbing his Nigerian girlfriend to death

A Chinese national, Frank Geng-Quangrong, who killed his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani,...

U.S. state bars under-15 children from having social media accounts

Florida State Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill prohibiting children younger...