The Lagos State Government has re-arraigned convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, on fresh charges of murder and attempted murder of police officers during his criminal operations.
The re-arraignment took place on Monday before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, where Evans and his co-defendants were brought under tight security. The prosecution alleged that Evans and his gang were responsible for the murder of several police officers who attempted to foil their kidnapping activities across the state.
According to the new charge sheet, Evans is accused of conspiring with others to kill the officers in the line of duty between 2013 and 2017, a period marked by a series of high-profile abductions for ransom across Lagos and neighboring states.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, informed the court that the state decided to re-arraign the defendant following a legal review of pending cases involving Evans. The charges, he said, were consolidated to ensure “comprehensive prosecution” of all alleged crimes connected to the notorious kidnap network.
Evans and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Defense counsel requested an adjournment to allow time for adequate preparation, while the prosecution insisted on a speedy trial given the gravity of the allegations.
Presiding Judge, Justice Adenike Coker, ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to a later date for continuation of trial.
Evans, who was earlier convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022 for kidnapping, now faces additional charges that could attract the death penalty if found guilty.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for victims of violent crimes and ensuring that all collaborators in Evans’ criminal syndicate are brought to book.