Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias
Evans, has yesterday denied allegations of kidnapping and demand of a $2
million ransom made a
gainst him by the Lagos State Government.
Evans and his co-defendants are facing a four count charge of
conspiracy,kidnapping and unlawful possession of arms.
They were accused of conspiring and kidnapping Sylvanus
Ahanonu Hafia at about 5:30pm on June 23, 2014 at Kara Street, Amuwo Odofin in
Lagos and were alleged to have captured and detained Hafia and demanded a
ransom of $2million.
But they pleaded not guilty to the four count charge.
The two suspect were arraigned after two applications by
Evans counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje, to quash the charge was dismissed by Justice
Oluwatoyin Taiwo.
Evans had, through his counsel, Ogungbeje, challenged the
court’s jurisdiction, competence of the charge and lack of fiat to prosecute
the case.
At the hearing yesterday, the court ruled among others, that
the proof of evidence attached by the prosecution made out a prima facie case
against Evans and Aduba.
Justice Taiwo held: “I have read the proof of evidence. The
court is the view that there is sufficient reason to proceed. It is immaterial
that the first defendant has indicated interest to withdraw his confessional
statement. I find that this court has jurisdiction to try the charges. I find
that the application is misconceived and lacks merit. This application is
subsequently dismissed.”
However, Evans’ counsel informed the court of his intention
to test the decision at the Court of Appeal.
However, efforts by the Lagos State government to arraign
Evans and three others on a second charge bordering on the attempted murder of
the Chairman of The Young Shall Grow Motors, Vincent Amaechi Obianodo, was not
successful.
The second to fourth defendants in this charge are Joseph
Ikenna Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Frank Upong.
According to the prosecution, the attempted kidnap of
Obianodo occurred at Festac town, Lagos. Obianodo was returning from work at
about 9pm when gunmen, numbering five, who drove in a Sport Utility Vehicle
intercepted him on 22 Road and opened fire.
His driver and one of his security details, a policeman,
Ngozi Chijiokwu, were allegedly killed in the process.
The failure to arraign Evans on this second charge followed
the amendment of a date on the document by the prosecution team led by Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice Kazeem Adeniji.
“The only issue is whether when a person amends a charge
there should be proof of evidence attached to it. The amendment seeks to change
a date from 2015 to 2011 on count one. That is all. Everything else is the
same,” Adeniji said.
The court upheld Ogungbeje’s contention that this had made
the charge irregular. Nevertheless, the judge ruled that the irregularity was
curable.
“I find that the amended charge is irregularly filed.
However, this does not warrant that the charge should be struck out. All the prosecution
needs to do is to file the proof of evidence and serve same on the defence
before the next date of appearance,” Justice Taiwo held.
According to the proposed second charge, the state will call
12 witnesses – six civilians and six senior police officers – to testify about
the alleged attempted kidnap of Obianodo.
The prosecution also listed nine exhibits that it intends to
tender, including four rifles, two pistols, bullet proof vests, among others.
Consequently, Justice Taiwo adjourned till December 15 for
Evans’ trial on the first charge and his arraignment alongside three others on
the second charge.
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