Again, Evans fails to stop trial in fifth arraignment

A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere yesterday dismissed another application by suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans, seeking to stop his fifth arraignment.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye upheld the argument of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Titilayo Shitta-Bey, that a prima facie case has been established against the defendant.

The judge held that Evans’ claim that the five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder, was “grossly defective, repetitive and an abuse of court processes” lacks merit.

The defendant’s application to quash the charge was made on May 25, through his former counsel, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, who withdrew his representation on June 13, citing personal reasons.

Ogungbeje was replaced by Mr. Noel Brown, who announced his appearance for Evans.

Following Justice Akintoye’s ruling, Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba, were arraigned by the state government.

According to the charge, the defendants and others at large committed the offences on September 7, 2015, at Seventh Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

They allegedly conspired and kidnapped Chief James Uduji, collected a ransom of $1.2 million and shot him on the shoulder while trying to kill him.