Evans’s co-defendant in coma before death – counsel

Mr Ogedi Ogu, counsel to Chiemeka Arinze standing trial alongside alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans, on Monday gave more details about Arinze’s death in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State.

It was reported that 45-year-old Arinze was standing trial alongside Onwuamadike, Joseph Emeka and Udeme Upong for attempted kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.

Addressing the court on Monday, Ogu said: “He was rushed to a hospital from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on Thursday. I visited him on Friday and he was in a coma on that day.

“I left there around 4p.m., and at about 9p.m. they called me and informed me that he had died.

“Doctors informed me that they were going to run some tests about the cause of his death; the results are going to come out on Saturday,” he said.

Responding, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo said that the court was already in possession of Arinze’s death certificate.

“The death certificate here says the cause of death is cardiopulmonary arrest and the secondary cause is HIV; It is from the Ajeromi General Hospital,” the judge said.

Taiwo described Arinze’s death as unfortunate.

The judge said that the trial must continue, and asked other defence counsel to adopt their written addresses on a trial-within-trial in the case.

Following adoption of the written addresses, Taiwo adjourned the case until Dec. 17 for ruling and further hearing.

The defendants face a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms.