Dare Babalola
Convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has once again been re-arraigned by the Lagos State Government.
Evans was arraigned on Monday for the murder of two police officers.
The billionaire kidnapper was dragged before the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja which is hearing the case.
He and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were arraigned before Justice A. O. Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Evans, a notorious Nigerian kidnapper, was arrested on June 10, 2017, in Magodo, Lagos, after a prolonged investigation by the Nigerian Police Force. The police had been tracking him for months, following leads and gathering evidence that linked him to various high-profile kidnappings across the country. Evans had built a sophisticated syndicate that targeted wealthy individuals, amassing millions of dollars in ransom payments.
The arrest was made possible through careful planning and intelligence gathering, including tracking phone calls and tracing payments made during previous kidnappings. When the police stormed his residence, Evans was caught off guard and apprehended without a shootout.
The police recovered several luxury vehicles and properties linked to him, showcasing his lavish lifestyle funded by ransom payments. Evans’ reign as a kidnap kingpin had lasted for years, with his gang involved in multiple kidnappings, armed robberies, and murders.
Evans was subsequently put on trial and convicted of kidnapping and conspiracy charges. On February 25, 2022, a Lagos state high court sentenced him to life imprisonment, describing him as a “criminal mastermind” whose actions caused immense pain and suffering to his victims and their families.
The court also convicted two of his accomplices, while acquitting others due to lack of evidence. Evans is currently facing additional charges related to the murder of police officers.
