Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, widely known as Evans, was on Monday re-arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over fresh allegations involving the murder of two police officers.
Evans was arraigned alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Ikenna Emeka, before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge brought by the Lagos State Government.
The charges include murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, offences contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly murdered one Peter Nwaeke on March 28, 2013, at around 10:00 p.m. along 3rd Avenue in Festac Town, within the Ikeja Judicial Division. Evans was also accused of being responsible for the killing of another victim, Chijioke Ngozi, at the same location on August 27, 2013.
Both Evans and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. During the resumed proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr O. A. Azeez, informed the court that the case was formerly handled by Justice Adenike Coker, who is currently on national assignment, resulting in the reassignment of the matter.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mr O. Charity, confirmed the earlier handling of the case by Justice Coker, while the second defendant was represented by Mr M. C. Onyechiofor.
Justice Ogala granted the application for re-arraignment, after which both defendants restated their not-guilty pleas. The case was adjourned to November 19, 2025, for hearing and the issuance of a witness summons.
Evans is presently standing trial in five separate criminal cases involving charges of kidnapping and murder. He has already been convicted in two of those cases.
