There
was a graveyard silence in the crowded courtroom after suspected billionaire
kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, pleaded guilty
to the first of the two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping brought against
him.
The Lagos State government Wednesday arraigned
Evans alongside Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka
Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba on a two count charge of conspiracy to commit
kidnapping and kidnapping.
According to the government, the suspects had
conspired on February 14th at about 7.45pm at Ilupeju, Lagos, to kidnap one
Donatus Dunu and collect €223,000 for his release.
After he pleaded guilty when the first charge
was read, there was a slight pause, and then the judge ordered the court
registrar to repeat the question.
Evans repeated the same answer.
He also pleaded guilty to the second charge of
kidnapping.
Mr. Amadi, the second defendant, also pleaded
guilty to the two counts.
Mr. Nwachukwu pleaded guilty to conspiracy and
not guilty to kidnapping.
Ms.
Uchechukwu, the only female in the group, and Messrs. Ifeanyi and Aduba,
pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned till October 19
for trial of those who pleaded not guilty, and to look at the evidence for those
who pleaded guilty before their conviction.
According to the criminal laws of Lagos State,
an act of kidnapping attracts life imprisonment while kidnappers whose victims
die in their custody get the death penalty.
Ahead of the arraignment, there was heavy
security presence around the high court with armed police officers and armoured
personnel carriers stationed at both entrances into the premises.
Police officers on horsebacks patrolled the
grounds while uniformed men with bomb detectors frisked journalists at the door
of the courtroom.
- Premium Times
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