Court reveals causes of death Arinze, Evans’s co-defendant

Evans-and-gang-in-court-

Evans and members of his gang in court

By Moji Eniola

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo has revealed that Chiemeka Arinze who is standing trial alongside alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans died of cardiac arrest and HIV in prison, according to the death certificate made available to the court.

The Judge spoke when Mr Ogedi Ogu, counsel to Arinze gave more details about his death in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State in court on Monday.

But Justice Taiwo said the 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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports 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.

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“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.

The Judge described Arinze’s death as unfortunate, but added that trial must continue.

He 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. (

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