Kehinde Fajobi
The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the arraignment and plea bargain outcome of convicted kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, until November 21st.
Justice Adenike Coker postponed the hearing after both Evans and his legal counsel failed to appear in court, as did the prosecution, represented by the Lagos State Government.
Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emekam, face an amended five-count charge that includes murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit felony, and kidnapping.
At the previous hearing on May 11th, Lagos State’s prosecution counsel, Yusuf Sule, informed the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain agreement, which was being reviewed by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN).
However, during Thursday’s session, only the lawyer for Evans’ co-defendant, Nelson Onyejaka, was present. Onyejaka expressed surprise at the absence of the prosecution and Evans’ counsel, saying, “I do not know whether they are aware that the case is coming up today. But we are still going on with the plea bargain, my lord.”
In response, Justice Coker ordered that a production warrant be issued for the defendants and adjourned the case to November 21st for further proceedings and a report on the plea bargain.
Apart from this case, Evans has two other cases pending before Justices Serifat Sonaike and Ibironke Harrison. In February 2022, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi for the kidnapping of Donatus Dunu, CEO of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. In September 2022, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping businessman Slyvanus Ahamonu and extorting a $420,000 ransom.