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Evans faces two fresh charges May 7

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Evans

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Thursday adjourned till May 7, the arraignment of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, on two fresh charges.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye set the date after dismissing Evans’ two applications challenging the validity of the proposed charges filed by the Lagos State Government.

Evans argued through his counsel Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, that both charges were “defective and abuse of court processes.”

But Justice Akintoye upheld the contention of Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, that the charges are competent.

In the first of both charges seen by The Nation, Evans and three others will face a five-count charge of kidnapping and attempted murder.

The other defendants are – Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

In the second charge, Evans will be arraigned on similar offences alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the judge noted that the issue for determination was whether a prima facie case has been established against the defendants.

Justice Akintoye said: “Looking closely at the proof of evidence attached to the information in this case, a prima facie case has clearly been disclosed against the defendant/applicant.”

The judge said the victim in the instant case, Uche Okereafor’s wife was the person who paid the ransom, adding that the statement of the first defendant (Evans) itself alleged that the first defendant was the mastermind and gang leader of the group.

“Other defendants participated in several kidnappings and shared the ransom collected from their victims.

“The third defendant (Ugochukwu Nwachukwu)  in his own statement and proof of evidence showed that he is a member of the gang and shared in the ransom collected from victims.

“I hold therefore that the proof of evidence disclosed a prima facie case against the first and third defendant,” she said.

Justice Akintoye also said the charge filed against the defendants were not defective based on the provisions of Section 152 and 153 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State,2015.

She added that the court does not have the power and the jurisdiction to quash the charge before the close of the prosecution’s case.

“I don’t believe that the court has the power to quash the charge before the close of the prosecution’s case as in the clear wordings of Section 262 of ACJL, such application is premature and cannot be sustained.

“The defendant must wait until the close of the prosecution’s case before applying for any charge to be quashed,” the judge added.

 

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Just In : Awujale of Ijebuland,Sikiru Adetona, dies at 91

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The Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has passed away at the age of 91.

The respected monarch reportedly died on Sunday, just hours after the announcement of the death of his longtime friend and former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mourning his passage, a prince of Ijebu, Prince Adedoyin Alatishe wrote on X, “Baami Ogbagba agbatewole ,  Erin wo. Omo anikilaya saagbu.”

Adetona, who ascended the throne in 1960, was one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning traditional rulers and widely revered for his contributions to the sociopolitical development of Ijebuland and Ogun State at large.

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Breaking: Former president Muhammadu Buhari has Died at a clinic in London

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Former president muhammadu Buhari has died at a hospital in London this afternoon according to the family, He was former military head of  state  in 1983.

The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”

Detials later

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Breaking : Tinubu returns to Abuja tonight after diplomatic visits to Saint Lucia, Brazil,Says Onanuga

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive Abuja later tonight following a two-nation diplomatic tour that took him to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean and Brazil in South America.

His return was confirmed in a message posted on Saturday afternoon by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja today after his two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil,” the presidential aide stated.

The President departed Nigeria on Saturday, June 28 for what was described as a strategic outreach aimed at strengthening ties with regions historically under-engaged in Nigeria’s diplomatic matrix.

His first stop was Saint Lucia, where he made a historic visit to build new ties and explore emerging partnerships with Caribbean states.

While in Saint Lucia, Tinubu interacted with regional leaders under the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), reinforcing Nigeria’s growing interest in Caribbean diplomacy and South-South cooperation.

He subsequently proceeded to Brazil to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Tinubu held a bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The leaders co-chaired the Nigeria-Brazil high-level bilateral meeting , where they discussed mechanisms to boost trade, infrastructure financing, and cultural cooperation between Africa’s most populous country and Latin America’s largest economy.

With the President’s return, focus is expected to shift to domestic engagements and follow-up actions on the diplomatic and investment commitments made during his foreign tour.

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