In a packed court room, kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (aka Evans) yesterday pleaded guilty to a two-count charge.
He was arraigned by the police before a vacation judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court, for alleged kidnapping of Dunu Donatus, a Lagos businessman.
Evans was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang, including a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the third defendant; Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba, second, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants.
The government of Lagos State preferred a two-count charge offence bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping against the suspects, who have been in police custody since June 10.
The offences are contrary to sections 411 and 271(3) Criminal Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015.
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The prosecution team was led by Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem. Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje led the defence team.
The court registrar read the charges after Justice Oshodi’s arrival at about 9.30am.
In count one, the defendants were alleged to have “on February 14, 2017, at about 7.45pm along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, conspired to commit felony to wit kidnapping.”
In count two, they were alleged to have “between February 14 and April 12, 2017, along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, while armed with guns and other weapons, captured detained and collected a ransom of 223,000 Euros from one Dunu Donatus for release”.
The charge sheet was signed by the state Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms. T. K. Shitta-Bey.
Evans, Amadi and Nwachukwu entered a guilty plea.
His other three accomplices, Uchechukwu, Ifeanyi and Aduba, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Kazeem asked the court for adjournment for trial of those who pleaded not guilty.
In respect of Evans and two others who entered guilty plea, he said the adjournment would enable the prosecution lay the facts of the matter before them for their affirmation and the court for sentencing.
Justice Oshodi remanded all the defendants at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
The only woman amongst them, Ogechi Uchechukwu was remanded at the Female Prison, Kirikiri.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till October 19 for trial.
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