Evans (kidnapper)

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, is a convicted Nigerian kidnapper.[1] Onwuamadike is a native of Nnewi, Anambra State.[2] He is sometimes referred to as "The Billionaire Kidnapper" because the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) believe he is one of the richest criminals in the kidnapping activities in Nigeria. In some of his operations, he made amounts of up to 1 million dollars. The Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria police force also described him as a very smart, crafty, and intelligent kidnapper having evaded arrest for four years even though he was on a most wanted list in three states (Lagos State, Edo State, and Anambra State).[3]

Onuamadike was arrested in Lagos during the weekend of 10–11 June 2017.[4]

Trial

Onuamadike is undergoing trial on 52 charges of multiple murders, armed robberies, kidnappings, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, conspiracy, among other charges.[5] Specifically, he is being charged of unlawful capture of Uche Okereafor in Festac area of Lagos State on 21 November 2017 and demand a ransom of $2million. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Onuamadike contravened sections 409 and 269 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.[6] As of March 2021, his trial was still pending.[7]

Conviction

On Friday, February 25, 2022, the Lagos state high court found Evans and two others guilty of kidnapping and conspiracy. In the ruling, the trial judge claimed "He showed no remorse in the dock and tried to lie his way out of the crimes despite the video evidence".[8] Evans was thereafter sentenced to life imprisonment.[9]

References
  1. "Court slams life imprisonment on Evans for kidnapping -- after four years of trial". TheCable. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. "Police Parades Billionaire Kidnapper Chukwudi "Evans" Onuamadike & his Gang… See Details of his Properties in Lagos & Accra". BellaNaija.com. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. Ezeobi, Chiemelie; Obi, Paul (12 June 2017). "How Police Finally Nabbed Notorious Kidnapper, Evans". Thisday. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  4. Gaffey, Conor (12 June 2017). "Meet Evans, Nigeria's Most Wanted Kidnapper, Captured After Gun Battle". Newsweek.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  5. Afeez, Hanafi; Oluwatosin, Omujuyigbe (30 August 2017). "Police to arraign Evans for Kidnapping, murder today". Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  6. Ramon, Oladimeji (7 May 2018). "Let me face my trial alive, Evans breaks down in tears". Punch. Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  7. "Judge gives prosecution 'last chance' in trial of alleged billionaire kidnapper Evans". Premium Times. Abuja. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  8. Adefemola, Akintade (25 February 2022). "Evans sentenced to life imprisonment". Peoples Gazette.
  9. Adefemola, Akintade (25 February 2022). "Court finds Evans, two others guilty of kidnapping". Peoples Gazette.


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