The Lagos State government, on Thursday, re-arraigned the convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans at the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, for alleged kidnapping and attempted murder.
Evans was re-arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba and Linus Opara on a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
The case started denovo after the case file was transferred from Justice Adedayo Akintoye, the initial judge.
Justice Akintoye was handling the trial at Igbosere part of the High Court before it was burnt down during the October 2020 EndSARS protest.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, in September last year, sentenced Evans to 21 years in prison for kidnapping .
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. H. Owokoniran, told the court that the defendants were re-arraigned following fresh facts available to the government.
According to him, Evans and his co-defendants allegedly kidnapped one Chief James Uduji and collected a ransom of $1.2 million.
He alleged that the defendants attempted to murder one victim identified simply as Donatus Nwoye, by shooting him in the hand.
The prosecutor added that the defendants also shot one Jereome Okezie in his hand and head.
The offences, according to him, contravened Sections 230, 271 (3) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, again, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Justice Ibironke Harrison adjourned the trial to May 3, 2023.