Evans lawyer attempts paying N20,000 fine with post dated cheque —Court

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Thursday, disclosed how Olukoya Ogungbeje, counsel to billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, tried to pay a N20,000 fine imposed in him by the court with a post dated check

Evans’ lawyer, Ogungbeje, who was fined by Justice Abdulaziz Anka was yet to pay the punitive cost of N20,000 awarded against him at the last adjourned date.

Justice Anka, who awarded the punitive cost against Ogungbeje on July 13, had said the lawyer would not be given audience in court until he pays the N20,000 to the police.

However on Thursday, counsel for the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, noted that Ogungbeje gave him a post-dated cheque for N20,000 but he rejected it, saying that was not the order of court.

Justice Chuka Obiozor agreed with the police lawyer and directed Ogungbeje to comply with the cost order on the cost awarded against him.

The judge also directed Ogungbeje to ensure service of the application on the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja.

He, subsequently, adjourned the case till July 27.

In his fundamental rights enforcement suit, Evans, through Ogungbeje, is seeking a court order directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release him on bail if they are not ready to charge him to court.

Ogungbeje argued that Evans’ detention since June 10, 2017, without being charged to court was a violation of his client’s fundamental rights enshrined in sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the Constitution.

Evans wants the court to award N300 million damages against the police in his favour for his continued detention.