The Lagos State Government has re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, better known as Evans, on fresh charges of murder and attempted murder involving two police officers.
The re-arraignment took place on Monday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja. Evans appeared alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Ikenna Emeka, to answer to an amended five-count charge filed by the state.
The case, initially handled by Justice Adenike Coker, was reassigned to Justice Ogala, prompting the prosecution to request that both defendants be re-arraigned to ensure due legal process.
Prosecution counsel, A.O. Azeez, representing the Lagos State Government, explained that the re-arraignment became necessary following the transfer and that any pending plea bargain applications previously filed before Justice Coker would not affect the case.
According to the amended charge, Evans and his co-defendant allegedly committed the crimes on August 27, 2013, at about 10 p.m. along Third Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos. They were accused of murdering Chijioke Ngozi and two police officers during a kidnapping operation in the area.
The offences, the prosecution noted, are contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which prescribes the death penalty for offenders found guilty of murder.
Both defendants, when the charges were read, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Evans, once notorious for masterminding high-profile kidnappings across Nigeria, is currently serving prison sentences from two previous convictions, while facing three other pending criminal trials involving kidnapping and murder charges.
After the re-arraignment, Justice Ogala adjourned the matter until November 19, 2025, for the commencement of hearing and the issuance of witness summons.
