Court adjourns Evans’ trial to April 17 over plea bargain applications

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has adjourned the trial of convicted kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendants to April 17, 2025, for a report on their plea bargain applications.

Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara, are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The case, which began afresh in January 2023 following the retirement of Justice Adedayo Akintoye, is being heard by Justice Sonaike.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecutor, Alaba Kuku, informed the court that the defendants had expressed interest in reaching plea bargain agreements with the Lagos State government.

He confirmed receiving an advance copy of Evans’ plea bargain application from his counsel, Emefo Etudo, which is currently under consideration by the state government.

Counsels for the second to fourth defendants also confirmed their clients’ intention to pursue plea bargain agreements. However, the third defendant’s counsel, Chinyere Udeh, told the court that his application was yet to be submitted to the state government through the Attorney General’s office.

Justice Sonaike adjourned the case to allow time for the applications to be reviewed and for a report to be presented at the next sitting.