The Lagos State Government on Monday re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before the Lagos High Court in Ikeja over the alleged murder of two police officers.
Evans appeared in court alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, where they were charged with a five-count information bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them before Justice A.O. Ogala.
Evans, who gained nationwide notoriety for his high-profile kidnapping operations, is already standing trial in five separate criminal cases involving kidnapping and murder, and has been convicted in two of those cases.
The fresh arraignment comes just days after President Bola Tinubu granted presidential clemency to several convicted persons across the country, a move that has drawn renewed attention to ongoing high-profile criminal trials.
Evans, once described as Nigeria’s most notorious kidnap kingpin, was arrested in June 2017 by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command. His criminal enterprise, which targeted wealthy Nigerians, had sparked widespread fear before his eventual capture.
The case has now been adjourned for further hearing as the prosecution prepares to present new evidence on the alleged killings.
