Alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike has opted for plea bargain with the Lagos State Government over his attempt to kidnap a leading transporter in Lagos. The Defence Counsel to Onwuamadike, Mr. R.B.C. Eke, disclosed this during proceedings at an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday.
Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, is standing trial for his failed bid to kidnap Chief Vincent Obianodo, chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors Ltd., one of Nigeria’s leading transport companies. Eke announced Evans’ plea bargain plans after state counsel, Ms Olayinka Akudo, had told the court that Ubong (fourth defendant) had filed an application for plea bargain. “We received a plea bargain application on behalf of the fourth defendant dated [Wednesday] October 24, which was yesterday and we received same yesterday,” Akudo said.
Responding, Eke said “the development (the fourth defendant’s plea bargain) came from us and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions will be hearing from us. “We have the intention to also file a plea bargain on behalf of the first defendant (Evans),” he said. Mr A.B. Josiah, Defence Counsel to Arinze (third defendant), told the court that Ubong’s proposed plea bargain agreement “does not concern Arinze. “We have no problem with the court defendant’s plea bargain agreement,” Josiah said.
Arinze and Ubong had no legal representation in court.
