Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), has postponed the trial of convicted kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendants until April 17, 2025. The adjournment allows time for a report on their plea bargain applications.
Evans, along with Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara, is facing a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
The case, which restarted in January 2023 following the retirement of Justice Adedayo Akintoye, is now being heard by Justice Sonaike.
During the hearing yesterday, prosecutor Alaba Kuku informed the court that the defendants had shown interest in plea bargain agreements with the Lagos State government. He confirmed receiving an advance copy of Evans’ plea bargain application from his counsel, Emefo Etudo, which is currently under government review.
Additionally, the counsels for the second to fourth defendants confirmed their clients’ intention to seek plea bargains. However, the third defendant’s counsel, Chinyere Udeh, noted that his client’s application had not yet been submitted to the state government through the Attorney General’s office.
Justice Sonaike adjourned the case to allow time for the applications to be reviewed and for a report to be presented at the next hearing.
