Court to hear Evans application seeking to quash kidnapping charges against him, February 28
Alleged notorious kidnapper, Onuamadike Chukwudimeje, alias Evans
Evans
JUSTICE Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Monday fixed February 28, to hear suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans” application seeking to quash two separate charges against and others.
Evans through his counsel Olukoya Ogungbeje asked the court to quash the charges after the Lagos State Government brought a fresh five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder against Evans and three others.
Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
Ogungbeje was however absent in court, hence the adjournment.
Ogungbeje, however, walked into the courtroom after the judge announced the new adjourned date.
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 Ogungbeje.
“This matter is for the 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.
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.
The alleged kidnap kingpin was arrested on June 10.
Evans is facing similar charges before Justice Hakeem Oshodi at an Ikeja High Court.
He has also been arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of Igbosere High Court, Lagos.