Judge fails to deliver judgement in Evans N300m against IGP

Alleged notorious kidnapper, Onuamadike Chukwudimeje, alias Evans

Justice Abdulaziz Anka of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned in Tuesday failed to deliver judgement in a N300m Fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit brought against the Inspector General of Police by alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.

The judge fixed September 4 as against the earlier slated date of August 29th to deliver the judgment.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, lawyer representing the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), David Igbodo, while drawing the court’s attention to an application, said his clients deserved to be heard before any judgement can be delivered in the matter.

According to him, one of the reasons for bringing the application is to urge the court to nullify the appearance and submissions of one, Henry Obiazi, who appeared for both the IGP and NPF on August 16 when the matter was fixed for judgement.

He said the lawyer was not authorized by either the IGP or the NPF to represent them in court.

Consequently, he asked the court to set aside the ruling delivered at the last hearing when the matter was fixed for judgement without hearing the IGP and the NPF.

While urging the court to allow him move the application, Igbodo said other respondents in the matter have been served but the applicant rejected service.

In his response, Evans lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, opposed to the hearing of the application, saying it was intended to stall the court’s judgement. He also faulted claims by Igbodo that he evaded service of the application on him.

According to him, there is nothing before the court again after parties have canvased arguments and a date for judgement fixed.

Ogungbeje’s opposition was however overruled by the judge on the ground that there are proofs that he actually evaded service.

Hearing of the application has been fixed for September 5.