Court Fixes February 28 To Hear Evans’ Application To Quash Kidnapping Charges
Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, on Monday, fixed February 28 for the hearing of the applications filed by alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, seeking to quash two separate criminal charges against him and others.
The Judge could not hear the application as scheduled today due to absence of Evan’s lawyers, Olukoya Ogungbeje.
The Lagos State Government had arraigned Evans and three others on a fresh five-count charge of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder.
He was docked alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
Nwachukwu, who is the third defendant in the first charge, has no legal representative.
In the second charge, Evans is being charged alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.
At the last adjourned date, the matter could not go on as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, urged the court to adjourn the case due to the absence of the first defendant’s counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje.
She said “This matter is for arraignment of the defendants; unfortunately due to the absence of Evans’ counsel, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, I don’t think it will be possible. “Ogungbeje just brought a letter to the court this morning stating that he is at the Court of Appeal and asking for a stand-down of the matter till noon.
“We don’t know when he will be here; even when he comes, the third defendant’s counsel, Mr. Jude Igbanoi is new to this matter and will need time to familiarise himself with the proof of evidence.
“I, therefore, ask the court for a short adjournment,’’ Shitta-Bey said.
All the defendants’ counsel did not object to the application for adjournment.
Igbanoi, who is representing the third defendant, Okpara, had earlier informed the court that he was new to the case and would need time to familiarise himself with the proof of evidence.
Akintoye adjourned the case till January 22, 2018 for hearing.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the case was stalled again as Ogungbeje was absent and later entered the court immediately after the adjournment of the case.
The alleged kidnap kingpin was arrested on June 10.
Evans was in August, arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi at an Ikeja High Court over kidnapping.
He has also been arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of Igbosere High Court, Lagos.
