Olanrewaju Ajanaku, counsel to alleged kidnap kingpin Chikwudumeme Onwiamadike alias Evans on Wednesday told an Ikeja Special offences court that Evans has not perfected his brief.
Ajanaku who failed to appear in court for the second time told the court through a letter that Evans’ family is yet to perform certain obligations to him.
Evans is standing trial alongside a former Army officer, Victor Aduba. The duo were accused of kidnapping
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Lagos state counsel, A. O Alagbe informed the court of a letter Ajanaku had sent informing the court of his absence.
“My Lord, just this morning, the defendant’s counsel brought a letter informing the court of his absence stating that his client has not perfected his brief.
“No date was however suggested in the said letter,” Alagbe said.
Alagbe also informed the court that Evans’ counsel is yet to respond to the submissions filed in respect to the trial within trial where Evans and Aduba had claimed that they were tortured and forced to make confessional statememts.
The presiding Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo thereafter adjourned the matter till March 29 for the adoption of submissions in the trial within the trial.
Ajanaku is the second counsel hired by Evans to defend him in a string of kidnapping charges preferred against him by the Lagos state Government both at the Ikeja High Court and the Igbosere High Court.
Evans first lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje had stopped representing the alleged kidnap kingpin, claiming that his life was under threat.
Justice Taiwo also adjourned till March 29, when a sister case where Evans is standing trial on a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to kidnap and selling of firearms, alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, 29, Chiemeka Arinze, 39, Udeme Frank Upong, 43.
Evans and his gang members were alleged to have kidnapped the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Obianuju Vincent.
Evans and his gang members shot the YSG chairman on his right arm and killed two of his escorts.