Court says Co-defendant in Evans’ trial has case to answer

A Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has dismissed a no case submission filed by Victor Aduba, a co-defendant of the convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike (alias Evans) in an ongoing trial over alleged kidnapping.

The trial Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo in a ruling, yesterday, ordered Aduba to open his defence, held that the prosecution has established prima facie case against the defendant.

Aduba, a former soldier was charged with Evans for allegedly kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu and collecting a $420,000 ransom from his family.

Ruling on Aduba’ s no case submission dated February 23,2022, Justice Taiwo said that she has carefully considered the submissions of counsel sides, prosecution and the defence.

“The court at this stage is not to review the evidence of the prosecution but to see whether the prosecution have enough evidence before the court to warrant the defendant to defend his case.

“The evidence of the prosecution shows that the prosecution has sufficiently proven a prima facie case against the defendant and the defendant has a case to answer.

“I hereby dismiss the application of the defence and order defendant to open his defence.” Earlier in his argument, the defence counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ochai, had told court that prosecution failed to the defendant to the offence and prayed the court to dismiss the charge against his client.

Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Yusuf Sule asked the court to determine whether the evidence adduced by the prosecution sufficiently linked the defendant to the offenses that warranted him been called to open his defence.

Recall that Evans had on February 4, 2022, opened his defence and denied kidnapping Ahamonu and collecting $420,000 ransom from his family.

Meanwhile, in a sister case before the judge, Evans changed his counsel as the court fixes June 15 for trial. Evans is standing trial with Joseph Emeka for allegedly attempting to kidnap Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo.

During proceedings, yesterday, Mr. Emmanuel Ochai, a counsel to the co-defendant of Evans in a sister case, held brief for Mr. Chuks Muoma (SAN), the new counsel for Evans.

Justice Taiwo had on March 11 ordered Evans to get a legal representative before the next adjournment date or be ready to defend himself. The judge subsequently adjourned trial to June 15, 2022.