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Absence of defence counsel stalls Evan’s trial

By Joseph Onyekwere
02 March 2019   |   3:41 am
The trial of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, failed to go on at a Lagos High Court in Igbosere yesterday, following the absence of a defence counsel.

The trial of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, failed to go on at a Lagos High Court in Igbosere yesterday, following the absence of a defence counsel.

Evans’ counsel, Chino Obiagwu did not appear but sent a letter informing Justice Adedayo Akintoye of his absence. No member of Evans’ legal team, including Olanrewaju Ajanaku, was present. Consequently, the judge adjourned till March 22 for address by counsel for trial within trial.

The adjournment, the second consecutively, followed that of January 31, foisted on the court by the non-appearance of another defence counsel, Emmanuel Ochai, following which the judge adjourned till yesterday. At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, prosecution counsel, Y. G. Oshoala drew the court’s attention to the absence of Evans’ counsel and Ochai’s January 31st abstention.

He directed the court’s mind to the need to do justice to all parties,” the state, the defendant, the public.” But making an order for adjournment, Justice Akintoye decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. Evans is facing two separate charges, bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder before Justice Akintoye.

In the first charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba. The four were arraigned on June 26 last year following the dismissal of Evans’ objection to a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government. In the second charge, he is joined with Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

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