Billionaire kidnapper Evans’ co-defendant, Chiemeka Arinze, dies in custody

Chiemeka Arinze, who has been standing trial alongside alleged billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, has reportedly died in prison custody.

Arinze, who was arrested in 2017 alongside Evans and other members of the gang including Joseph Emeka, Udeme Ukpong, Uchechukwu Amadi and his wife, Ogechi, Chukwudi Nwosu, Felix Chinemerem, Chukwuemeka Ikenna Bosah, and Suoyo Paul, has been standing trial over the attempted kidnap of the Chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo at an Ikeja Special Offences Court, was said to have given up the ghost on Friday after battling an disclosed ailment for many months.

A prison source who confirmed the death of Arinze, said he had been sick for many months and was rushed from the prison to a General Hospital, where the doctor pronounced him dead.

READ ALSO: Kidnapper Evans’ co-defendants to open their defence, as judge throws out no case submission

The notorious Evans gang is facing a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms.

On the resumption of their trial last week, counsel to the late Arinze had filed a bail application before the court over the illness of the defendant.

The continuation of trial in the case which was slated for Monday for application to be heard, has been thrown into doubt following Arinze’s death.

Evans and members of his gang numbering 12, were arrested on June 10, 2017, by a combined team of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team [IRT] led by ACP Abba Kyari, and the Anti-Kidnap Unit of the Lagos State Police Command at one of his palatial homes at the Magodo Phase II GRA, Lagos.

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