The Lagos State Government on Monday re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.
Naijaonpoint reports that Evans was docked alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
The charges were read before Justice A. O. Ogala, where both Evans and Emeka pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution accused the duo of being responsible for the killing of two police officers in the course of their criminal activities.
The notorious kidnap kingpin is currently facing five different criminal trials relating to the kidnapping and murder of several victims.
He has already been convicted in two separate cases and is serving prison sentences.
In other news, President Bola Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe, the convicted kidnapper behind the abduction of human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, in 2013.
Naijaonpoint understands that Ezigbe’s jail sentence was reduced under the presidential pardon.
Ezigbe was among the 175 persons granted clemency following the National Council of State’s approval.
Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that Ezigbe’s 20-year prison term had been reduced to 13 years.
According to him, the reduction was granted “for showing remorsefulness and attending the National Open University.”
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