Crime

Evans enters plea in Lagos where kidnapping attracts capital punishment

Published

7 years ago

August 30, 2017

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Billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and kidnapping before a Justice Abdulaziz Anka at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

Onwuamadike, aka Evans, made his plea Wednesday.

Kidnappers, on conviction, faces the death penalty in Lagos.

Gov. Akinwumi Ambode signed it to law February !

He and five others were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The only female defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The judge ordered that all the male defendants be remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison while the female be kept at the female section of the prison.

Earlier on Tuesday, a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court adjourned till September 5 to hear arguments from Evan’s lawyer and police lawyers on the fundamental rights application brought by Evans.

Justice Abdulaziz Anka had initially fixed Tuesday to deliver judgment on the suit but a lawyer to the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, David Igbodo, appearing for the first time since the hearing began, said he had filed a counter affidavit

before the court.

ALSO SEE: Police knows fate in September over Evans

“It will be an injustice for judgment to be delivered without hearing our own side,” Igbodo, Commissioner of Police (Legal Section), said.

Igbodo later told journalists police investigation of the case he described as sensitive and controversial, was almost complete.

“He (Evans) beat strategies for the past six years. When he was arrested, it took time for the police to complete investigations and very soon, Nigerians will be made to know what is the next line of action for Evans,” he said.

Igbodo dismissed claims of the police not having the authority to detain Evans saying they had obtained a remand order from a federal court to hold the suspect in their custody for three months.

“The Inspector General of Police cannot keep Evans without a court order,” he said, adding there is a valid court order that is still subsisting for three months.

“You know Evans was arrested on the 10th of June; since when he was arrested till now, it’s not up to three months.”

The judge adjourned till October 19.