TheNewsGuru

Tag: evans

  • Panel identifies police officer who released billionaire kidnapper, Evans in 2006

    The Policewoman who has been accused of aiding the release of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans in 2006 has been identified.

    According to a report in The Nation, the woman simply identified as Tina is now a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    She was reportedly involved in the transfer of Evans from Lagos State to Imo State and his eventual release.

    The police had said Evans was apprehended in 2006 after a bank robbery.

    As a result of the revelation, IGP Idris constituted a panel to investigate the 2006 arrest, transfer and eventual release of Evans and his members.

    The panel was to identify all officers who had a hand in the matter, whether serving or retired.

    According to a source, the panel has identified all the officers involved in his release.

    The source said: “I can tell you that Tina is not the woman’s real name but I won’t give you her name. I can also tell you she’s now a CSP and still in service.

    So many officers took part in that 2006/2007 release of Evans and they are being investigated. The panel has made progress and almost all of them have been identified. An official statement might be release by the authorities soon.”

  • Evans begs for mercy, says ‘I did not ask any lawyer to sue police’

    Suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has said he did not ask any lawyer to sue the police in a bid to secure his release.

    Evans spoke on Sunday in an interview with Channels Television.

    Evans claimed that the lawsuit by a Lagos lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje against the police were an attempt by some people to put him in more trouble.

    He said, “I have no hand in any case filed against the police and I did not speak with any lawyer or my father to fill a case on my behalf.

    “All I will say is that they should temper justice with mercy.”

    The 36-year-old father of five said should the police release him, he would not leave detention because his kidnap victims would kill him.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans recently dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris before the Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged illegal detention.

    He prayed the court to order his immediate release if they cannot arraign him in court immediately.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans again on Thursday filed another fresh suit against the Inspector General of Police, and three others at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    In the new suit, Evans is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for “illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans was represented in court by Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.

     

  • Rate of kidnapping has reduced since we arrested billionaire kidnapper, Evans – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force has said the rate of kidnapping has dropped since the arrest of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans.

    Police spokesman Moshood Jimoh said the International Police (Interpol) was investigating Evans’ activities.

    He said: “When we paraded him (Evans) in Lagos, I told the public that the arrest of Evans marked the beginning of the end for kidnapping.

    “Since that day, the rate of kidnapping has seriously gone down and that shows that we were able to hit the right target.

    “As for keeping him (in custody), we have been able to secure three months’ remand warrant from the Federal High Court, Abuja to enable us round off our investigations.

    “At present, the contacts and crimes he committed in other countries, including Ghana and South Africa, are of interest.

    “We have series of complaints that border on murder, several kidnappings and armed robberies against him and these are all capital offences that are not bailable at the level of the police.

    “They are not even ordinarily bailable in the courts.”

    He said it won’t be sensible to rush to court, stating that Evans’ case was peculiar.

    “In his alleged offences, the lives of Nigerians were at stake and we must be able to get everything to ensure that we don’t lose the case in the courts.

    “For any sensible police force, it won’t be appropriate to rush to court in a complex case like this because the investigation is a scientific approach to actually situate a suspect at the scene of the crime and convince the court that this is the person that did this and that.

    “That is why it is important that we are meticulous in putting details together and explaining how someone committed atrocities such that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be happy with us if the suspect is convicted for all the offences he committed alongside other members of his gang.

    “Nigerians will not be happy with us if we rush to court and lose the case on mere technicalities.

    “We are mindful of that as well as his fundamental human rights. That is why we approached the courts for a three-month remand warrant to keep him in police custody,” Jimoh explained.

    He added, “We are very active on the platform of Interpol. If you can recall, it was revealed that he (Evans) has a Ghanaian international passport and the passport is still very valid.

    “There are clear indications of the level of criminality that goes across the border.

    “So, we will do what is just in that circumstance and after completing investigations, we will be able to know where we will share experience and ideas with various jurisdictions involved and we will all know how to deal with the matter.

    “Yes, Interpol is already fully involved and we are all out to do a thorough job and it is in the interest of the public because such high-level suspects should not continue walking the streets and committing such atrocities.

    “We hope to ensure that the cause of justice is served at the end of the day,” Jimoh said.

  • Why I choose to defend Evans in court – Ogungbeje

    …Says he consulted widely before taking up the case

    Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje who is defending suspected kidnapper Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans has explained why he chose to take up the case despite negative public perceptions.

    Ogungbeje who spoke with The Sun accused a section of the media, as well as many Nigerians of being ignorant of the law.

    He noted that it was settled in law that “no matter the bases of the complaints of the cause of your crime, no matter how unpopular is the cause of your crime, no matter how bad is the cause of your crime, the legal practitioner has a duty to take up the cause, if he’s properly briefed and provided that person represents his client within the bounds of law.

    “That is my answer to your question. So, no matter the public opinion, I have the responsibility to take up the matter. We were properly briefed. So, our action is based on law.

    “And we want to represent our client within the bounds of law, within the confines of law.

    “So, if you for instance, you’re a journalist, if you brief me… you don’t want me to take up your cause, because people are saying negative things about you, or because people have condemned you and found you guilty before the media, that I should not take up your case?

    “Look, let me tell you right away. We were briefed two weeks ago. And I told them to give me two weeks to think, whether I would take up the brief or not. I did my consultations.

    “We consulted even journalists, you can go and make enquiries. I consulted my people. I consulted senior lawyers. So, have I done what is wrong by taking the cause of my clients? Forget what people say in the court of public of opinion,Ogungbeje said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.

  • We have court’s order to detain Evans for 90 days – ACP, Abba Kyari

    The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari, has said the police obtained the court’s backing to detain the kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans, for 90 days.

    He said the detention warrant was obtained on June 21, 2017, contrary to insinuations in some quarters that Evans was being illegally held by the police

    Kyari explained to newsmen on Friday that the detention was obtained to allow for thorough investigation of the Evans.

    In his words: “All those who want Evans released did not know that the police had obtained a 90-day warrant to detain him.

    “We envisaged that they would do that, hence we beat them to it.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans recently dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris before the Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged illegal detention.

    He prayed the court to order his immediate release if they cannot arraign him in court immediately.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans again on Thursday filed another fresh suit against the Inspector General of Police, and three others at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    In the new suit, Evans is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for “illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.

     

  • Billionaire kingpin, Evans files fresh suit against IGP, others, demands N300m damages

    Billionaire kingpin, Evans files fresh suit against IGP, others, demands N300m damages

    The billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, otherwise known as Evans, on Thursday filed another suit against the Inspector General of Police, and three others at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    In the new suit, Evans is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for “illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial”.

    Joined as respondents in his new originating motion are the Nigeria Police Force, the commissioner of police Lagos State and the special anti-robbery squad, Lagos State Police Command.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Evans had earlier on June 28, filed an ex-parte application before the same court, seeking an order directing the respondents to charge him to court.

    He had also sought an order directing the respondents to release him unconditionally where no charge is preferred against him.

    According to an affidavit deposed by his father, Stephen Onwuamadike, the applicant argued that he has been subjected to media trial without any court order by the respondents.

    Onwuamadike further argued that the media trial and news orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in both print and electronic media without his son being afforded fair hearing before a court of law.

    The applicant, therefore, argued that his continued detention by the respondents since June 10, without a charge, or release on bail, is an infringement on his fundamental rights.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that in his new suit marked FHC/L/CS/1012/ 2017, the applicant is seeking a declaration that his continued detention since June 10 without arraignment, violates his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 constitution.

    Evans is therefore seeking a declaration that his parade on June 11 before journalists in Lagos, at the Lagos police command headquarters in Ikeja, without any court order, is unconstitutional and illegal.

    He is consequently seeking an order compelling the respondents to immediately arraign him before a law court, or release him from custody immediately.

    The suspect is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing, investigating or inviting him in relation to the facts of his case.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.

  • Meet Ogungbeje, the controversial Evans’ lawyer everyone is talking about

    A lawyer who prides himself in picking up unpopular cases, Voice Olukoya Ogungbeje, has been in the news for choosing to defend notorious billionaire kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans.

    Ogungbeje, the head of Lawflex Chambers and the Chairman of Voice Vanguard, made the headlines when he filed a fundamental rights suit on behalf of Evans, dragging the Inspector General of Police, and others before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over the suspect’s alleged illegal detention.

    Joined as respondents in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police Lagos State, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.

    In the suit, Evans who has somehow become a celebrity following the media attention on him since his arrest on June 10, 2017, is seeking a court order directing the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him.

    On the alternative, he is seeking an order compelling the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally in the absence of any offense warranting a charged.

    In the suit marked, FHC/L/CS/1012/2017, Evans is contending that his continued detention by the respondents since June 10, without a charge, or release on bail is an infringement on his fundamental rights.

    However, those who know about Ogungbeje say he is a lover of unpopular cases and had been involved in controversial cases in recent times.

    It was gathered that in April 2017, Ogungbeje filed a suit asking the Federal High Court to stay proceedings on the forfeiture of $43,449,947 [about N13 billion], N23,218,000 and £27,800 [about N10.6 million] found in a flat in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He had also sought an order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], to furnish the court with a report of its preliminary or final investigation on the source of the money, its owner, and how the currencies got into the building.

    Ogungbeje, in a motion on notice, also asked the court not to order a permanent forfeiture of the money since there were claims and counter claims as to its ownership by the Rivers State government and the National Intelligence Agency [NIA], and since the Federal Government had set up a panel to find the truth about the ownership of the money.

    He, however, lost the case woefully as the presiding judge described him as a meddlesome interloper who had no stake in the case. The court went ahead to grant the request of the EFCC and the money was permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Ogungbeje was also said to have once filed a suit in Lagos in 2014 asking for the reinstatement of Murtala Nyako as Governor of Adamawa State after Nyako was impeached by his state House of Assembly in July of the same year.

    Ogungbeje claimed the Assembly’s alleged failure to serve Nyako personally with the impeachment notice violated his fundamental right to fair hearing as enshrined under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Again, the case hit the rocks as it was thrown out of the court because it lacked merit and was not filed in Adamawa State where the impeachment took place.

    So this is the man who has taken up the fight for the self-confessed notorious kingpin, Evans Onwuamadike and it is left to be seen whether he will triumph this time.

  • ‘Stop calling me billionaire, I only have few thousands,’ notorious kidnapper Evans reveals

    Notorious kidnap kingpin, Evans, has cautioned the media against addressing him as a billionaire.

    He noted that most of the monies he collected as ransom from his victims were shared amongst his gang members while he invested his shares in properties.

    Evans told Tribune Newspapers that it would be foolishness to carry monies collected from his victims to the bank.

    In his words: “I am not a billionaire.”

    “I don’t have money in my bank accounts.

    I may have like N20,000 in some, but the kind of money you are expecting to hear are not in the accounts.

    “I have [domiciliary account] but I don’t have money in it. It is only somebody who is a fool that would take such huge amount I collect to the bank.

    “I don’t have any property in FESTAC. I only have the two Magodo properties in Lagos, and then another two in Accra.

    “These are just the properties I have. However, some people have been saying I have houses all over the world. Some said I have house in South Africa, but I don’t.

    “It was not only me who took all the money. I had people working for me and I gave them their shares.

    “Instead of keeping the money in bank or somewhere else, I used it to buy houses. I have told the police how much I bought the houses.

    “I have told them how much I spent in building the one in Ghana.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.

  • Evans drags Police IG, 3 others to court over prolonged detention

    Billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, has dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged illegal detention.

    Joined as respondents in the motion he filed by his lawyers are the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.

    In a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, the suspected kidnapper is praying for the order of court to direct the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him in accordance with Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In the alternative, he prayed the court for an order compelling the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally in the absence of any offence that will warrant his being charged to court.

    Also READ: We are under pressure to release billionaire kidnapper, Evans

    Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is advocating for the imposition of death sentence on convicted kidnappers as a deterrent for others who might want to embark on the heinous crime in future.

    The IGP, speaking at a dialogue session he held with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the umbrella of Situation Room, in Abuja on Friday, said the case of recently apprehended kidnap kingpin, Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, a.k.a Evans, should be used to set an example.

    Idris lamented that Evans “has changed the face of kidnapping in this country”, saying the fact that he collected $1million ransom on six different occasions, was enough to lure some youths into the evil act.

    The police boss stated that the existing laws on kidnapping needed to be reviewed to ensure stiffer punishment for culprits.

    “We should start looking at punishment and the possibility of establishing special courts to address issues of kidnapping.

    “On daily basis we are arresting hundreds of suspects. We should look for a way to review our laws and impose sanctions like we have in some states like Anambra, Lagos, Kano and Imo.

    “We need to review those punishments, we should have a time frame for conclusion of trial of suspects.

  • How Evans was arrested in 2006 for robbery, illegally freed by police

    The arrested kidnap kingpin, Chukwudi Onuamadike alias Evans, was arrested in 2006 for armed robbery where seven members of his gang died while sharing their loot in Lagos State.

    A very reliable police source revealed this on Sunday as investigations on Evans past activities deepened.

    Evans and his robbery gang, in 2006 attacked a commercial bank in Lagos and went somewhere around the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, to share the loot.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that while sharing the loot, the robbers had a disagreement and shot one another. Seven members of the gang died instantly.

    “The then Divisional Police Officer of Iponri Police Station, Yahaya Bello, now a deputy commissioner of police, said there was a serious incident involving some persons who shot at one another. He said about three of them had been arrested.

    “One of the members of the gang arrested then was Chukwudi Onuamadike, popularly known as Evans. If you look at his chest, I cannot remember whether it is the right or left side, there is a scar. It was as a result of the gunshot from his gang members that day.

    “He bled and there was no way he could run away before the police came. The case was transferred to the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad. We investigated and discovered that they were armed robbers.

    “Evans led the team. We also went to Mbidi Police Station, Imo State, to carry out an investigation on them. We were able to arrest two other members of the gang. We then had five of them in police custody.

    “There was a policewoman at the Band Section of the Police College, Lagos. She was known as Tina, a Superintendent of Police. She insisted that we should drop the case and that Onuamadike (Evans) was her brother.

    “But when she was unable to achieve her aim, she travelled to Imo State. Not long after, we got a message from the Imo State Police Command that they had been searching for Evans and asked us to transfer the case to them so they could continue from where we stopped.

    “Since that time, we did not hear anything. We heard he was later released there,” the source said.

    The source noted that after he saw Evans pictures, he knew that he was the man they arrested alongside members of his gang in 2006, stressing, however, that Evans was not bearing the alias, Evans, at the time.

    “We identified him only as Chukwudi. Some of the persons we worked together on the case also called me to draw my attention to the fact that he was the one arrested.

    “He couldn’t have been the only person released. The request was that we should transfer the case to them. We sent him and two members of his gang to the command. There is a hotel in Okota area where they used to meet to share their loot.

    “The owner of the hotel was their friend. There was a time they robbed three banks in Alaba International Market in 2005. They also looted shops there. One of the owners of the shop complained to the police and we carried out an investigation.

    “We discovered that some of the items stolen in the man’s shop were digital cameras. We traced the cameras to the hotel and into the office of the hotel owner. It was then that ‘big men’ started calling from everywhere that we should drop the charges against them.

    “The owner of the hotel was later killed by the robbers, following a disagreement. His body was dumped by the roadside in one of the states in the East sometimes ago,” the source told police investigators.

    The source expressed fear that if Evans was not properly investigated and prosecuted he can form a terrorist group being a hardened criminal; in view of the fact that he collects any ransom demanded to the last Kobo before releasing such victims.

    “The best way to handle his case is for the police to do their work. They should do a proper investigation. If it will take four months to investigate him, they should do so. He has links in South Africa, Ghana, etc.

    “I know him. Bank robbery and hijacking of bullion vans was easy for him and his gang members. He did not hesitate to shoot any member of his gang suspected of foul play,” the source noted.

    NAN further gathered from the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team that Evans confirmed all the incidents alleged by the police source.

     

    NAN