Changed plea: Judge fixes Evans’ trial for Nov 3

Justice Hakeem of the Oshodi   Ikeja Division of the Lagos state High Court yesterday fi xed November 3 for the trial of Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (popularly known as Evans) and fi ve others

Th e defendants – Evans, Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Nwachukwu Okwuchukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, and Victor Aduba – pleaded not guilty to an amended two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping

Th ey were accused of conspiring on February 14 at about 7:45pm at Ilupeju, Lagos, to kidnap Donatus Dunu and collect €223,000 for his release

At the last court sitting in August, when the defendants were fi rst arraigned before the judge, Evans and Amadi pleaded guilty to the two counts

Nwachukwu pleaded guilty to conspiracy and not guilty to kidnapping

Ms Uchechukwu, the only female in the group, and Messrs Ifeanyi and Aduba, pleaded not guilty to the charges

But yesterday, amidst a heavy security presence that included the police anti-bomb squad around the court premises, the defendants were unanimous in their plea before the judge – all said they were not guilty of the charges against them

Before their charges were read, the prosecuting counsel, Ike Chika, informed the court of their intention to bring an amended charge which would require the defendants to take fresh pleas

He added that the amended charge had already been served on the defence

The statement elicited arguments between the prosecution and defence counsels, with the latter claiming they were just served minutes before the day’s proceedings began and, therefore, did not have the opportunity to discuss with their clients

(Premium Times)

 

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