By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Corresspondent
The notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumem Onwuamadike (aka) Evans, and two of his accomplishes, who had been in police custody since their arrest on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, pleaded guilty to a two-count charge levied against them by the Lagos State Government.
They were arraigned before a vacation judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja.
Other accused persons arraigned alongside with Evans are Uche Amadi (2nd accused) , Ogechi Uchechukwu (3rd), Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu (4th), Chilaka Ifeanyi (5th) and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba (6th) accused.
The prosecution team was led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem, while the defence team was led by Ogungbeje Olukoya.
In the charge sheet signed by Titilayo Shitta-Bey (Ms) , Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Count One reads: Conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit, Kidnapping contrary to section 411 of Criminal Law Cap C17 laws of Lagos State 2015.
The accused persons were said to have on February 14, 2017 at about 7.45pm along Obokun Street, Ilupeju Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division conspired to commit a felony to wit kidnapping.
The second count reads: Kidnapping contrary to section 271 (3) of the criminal law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015.
They were said to have between the 14th February and 12th April 2017 along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division, while armed with guns and other weapons did capture, detain and collect a ransom of 223,000 Euros from Dunu Donatus (m) for his release.
After hearing the charge levied against them, Evans and Amadi pleaded guilty to the two-count, while Ogechi Uchechukwu (the only female), Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
The 4th accused, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, pleaded guilty in count one and not guilty in count two.
After hearing their plea and the submissions of the Atorney-General and defence lawyer, the trial judge adjourned the case to October 19 for pronouncement of sentence for the accused that pleaded guilty and commencement of trial for the accused ones that pleaded not guilty.
The judge ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kirikiri prisons till next adjourned date.
Security was water-tight at the Ikeja High Court while the arraignment lasted.