KIDNAP: ABSENCE OF JUDGE STALLS EVAN'S TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The re-arraignment of a kidnap kingpin, Chukwudueme Onwamadike, otherwise known as Evans, on Friday, suffered a setback due to the absence of the Judge, at the Ikeja High court in Lagos.

On the previously adjourned date, the Kidnap Kingpin’s re-arraignment was also stalled due to the absence of two other co-defendants.

Evans was hauled before Justice Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court together with Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze, and Udeme Upong.

The first and second defendants, Evans and Emeka, were in court, but the third and fourth defendants, Arinze and Upong, were not.

The prosecution was questioned by Justice Coker about the location of the other two defendants and their reasons for missing their court appearance.

Before the next postponed date, she pleaded with the prosecution to straighten up and make sure the attorney received documentation of the evidence.

The Lagos State Prosecutor, Ms Titi Adeegbe, had told the court that the third and fourth defendants were absent and that she had no information at to their current status.

Earlier, the defence counsel representing Evans, Ms Mary Dibiaeze, reminded the court that the third defendant had died, while the fourth defendant was discharged from the case.

The counsel to the second defendant, Mr Nelson Onyejaka, informed the court that they had not been served proof of evidence by the prosecution.

Evans had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi sometime in February 2022.

Evans and his co-defendants were later sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by retired Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo prior to her retirement.