LAGOS – Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, is facing second arraignment at an Igbosere High Court on Lagos Island amid watertight security.
Evans, had on Thursday made a U-turn as he entered a plea of `not guilty’ as he was re-arraigned on a two-count amended charge of conspiracy and kidnapping at an Ikeja High Court.
Recall that he had at his arraignment on Aug. 30 pleaded guilty to the charges, while other alleged accomplices — Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the only female defendant, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba denied committing the offences.
They were charged with the kidnap of Mr Donatius Duru on Aug. 30.
The punishment section in the second count of amended charge was changed from Section 271 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State to Section 2(1) of the Kidnap Prohibition Law of the Laws of Lagos 2017.
According to the prosecution led by Ms. P.K. Shitta-bey, the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Evans and his accomplices committed the offence of conspiracy at 7.45 p.m. on Feb. 14 on Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.
The prosecution said the defendants between Feb. 14 and April 12 at Obokun Street, Ilupeju, while armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, captured and detained Duru.
The defendants allegedly collected a ransom of 223,000 euros for the release of Donatius.
