Evans Back In The Dock: Lagos Re-arraigns Notorious Kidnap Kingpin For Policemen’s Murder

For the fifth time in eight years, the Lagos State Government has re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, widely known as Evans, before the State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged murder of two police officers.

Evans appeared in court alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, where both men were docked before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder and attempted kidnapping.

The state prosecutor, Mr Olu Azeez, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on August 27, 2013, at Third Avenue, Festac Town, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of Lagos State.

Azeez alleged that the defendants were responsible for the gruesome killings of Peter Nwaeke and Chijioke Ngozi around 10 p.m. at the same location and on the same date, acts which contravene Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

When the charges were read, Evans and Emeka pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the case was initially before Justice Adenike Coker, who is presently on national assignment, hence the reassignment to Justice Ogala’s court.

He then prayed the court to fix a trial date, assuring that the prosecution was ready to call its witnesses. The defence team raised no objection to the request.

Granting the prayer, Justice Ogala adjourned the matter till November 19, 2025, for the commencement of trial and the issuance of witness summons.

Evans, whose name once struck fear in the hearts of residents across Lagos and neighbouring states, is already serving multiple jail terms for similar crimes.

He was first convicted in February 2022 by Justice Hakeem Oshodi, who sentenced him to life imprisonment for conspiracy and kidnapping. Later, in September 2022, retired Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo also sentenced him and his accomplices to 21 years imprisonment on related charges.