Alleged kidnap: Evans brother -in -law, wife, know fate October 23

Peter Fowoyo

Judgement, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by one, Okwuchukwu Obiechina, a brother-in-law to suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans and his wife, Nzube, against the police over alleged illegal detention has been fixed by a Federal High Court, Ikoyi,Lagos.

Justice Mohammed Idris on Tuesday fixed October 23 after listening to submissions by parties in the matter to deliver judgment.

Joined as co -respondents in the suit are the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Nigerian Police and the Special Anti Robbery Squad.

In the suit, the duo claimed they have been in detention since June 2 owing to their relationship with Evans.

Justice Idris had on October 10, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Olukoya Ogungbeje, directed the police to produce the applicants in court to show cause why a release order should not be made.

However, during yesterday’s proceedings, Ogungbeje, asked the court to vacate the order to pave way for the hearing of the substantive suit.

Arguing the substantive suit, the lawyer claimed his clients have been in police custody since June 2 in connection with the criminal charge brought against Evans.

He said the respondents’ admittance in their counter affidavit that the applicants were only detained for 6 days has confirmed his clients’ claims of illegal detention.

He further argued that contrary to the claims by the police, it is yet to secure any remand order to detain his clients.

Ogungbeje added that till date, the respondents are yet to disclose any reason why they should continue to hold on to the applicants.

However, in his submissions, respondents’ lawyer, Emmanuel Eze, said claims of illegal detention of the applicants do not arise as the police had already secured a remand order from a magistrate court.

He argued that Obiechina and his wife were arrested by the police on reasonable suspicion of engaging in kidnapping and murder.

Eze further alleged that Obiechina made attempt to truncate Evans’ trial by demobilizing about 9 trucks that were recovered from him. He urged the court to dismiss the suit with substantial cost.