Evans opts for plea bargain in ‘murder trial’

Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, a kidnapping kingpin popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, have opted for a plea bargain agreement in the murder case against them.

Evans and Emeka are charged with murder and attempted kidnapping before an Ikeja high court.

They were scheduled to be re-arraigned on a five-count charge before the court on Thursday.

However, at the court session, the re-arraignment was stalled due to the absence of Evans’ counsel.

Yusuf Sule, lead counsel for the prosecution, informed the court that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain.

He said the plea bargain option is being considered by Lawal Pedro, Lagos state attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

“I am aware that the defendants have applied for a plea bargain, but it is being considered by the attorney-general,” he said.

“We have an amended charge, my lord, because the fourth defendant has been convicted while the third defendant died in prison.

“We shall be asking for another date for the re-arraignment of the defendants.”

Adenike Coker, presiding judge, adjourned the case until June 13 for the re-arraignment of Evans and Emeka.

“In view of the absence of counsel to the first defendant, this case is hereby adjourned until June 13, and the first defendant is directed to ensure his counsel is in court,” the judge said.

“There is no excuse for his absence.

“In the light of the amendment charge before the court, the case against the third and fourth defendants is struck out.”

Evans and Emeka were standing trial before Oluwatoyin Taiwo, a judge, before her retirement.

They allegedly killed Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi on August 27, 2013, in the Festac Town area of Lagos.

They were also charged with the attempted kidnapping of Vincent Obianodo, chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors.

In February 2022, Akeem Oshodi, an Ikeja high court judge, convicted Evans and two others on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.

They were found guilty of kidnapping Donatus Dunu, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The prosecution said they kidnapped Dunu in Lagos on February 14, 2017, and collected £223,000 (N100 million) as ransom from his family.

On February 25, 2022, the suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment.