The Lagos State Government on Monday re-arraigned convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before the High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged killing of two police officers.

Evans appeared in court alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, to face a five-count bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Both men pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before Justice A. O. Ogala.

According to the prosecution, the offences were committed during Evans’ years-long kidnapping operations in Lagos before his arrest in 2017.

The court heard that the victims included two police officers allegedly killed in the course of duty while trailing the kidnap syndicate.

Evans, who is already serving a life sentence for kidnapping, was arrested on 10 June 2017 in Magodo, Lagos, after a police operation that followed months of surveillance.

He was convicted in February 2022 for conspiracy and kidnapping, with the court describing him as “a criminal mastermind” who inflicted deep suffering on his victims.

The new charges mark a continuation of multiple prosecutions involving Evans since his conviction.