Court to hear applications to quash charge against Evans

Hearing of an application seeking to quash two separate charges against ‎suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike otherwise known as Evans was on Monday fixed by a Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye yesterday fixed February 28.

The Lagos State Government had brought a fresh five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder against Evans and three others.

Evans is charged alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

Nwachukwu who is the third defendant in the first charge has no legal representative.

In the second charge Evans is being charged alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.
At the last adjourned date the matter could not go on ‎as the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, urged the court to adjourn the case due to the absence of the first defendant’s counsel Olukoya Ogungbeje.
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She said “This matter is for arraignment of the defendants; unfortunately due to the absence of Evans’ counsel, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, I don’t think it will be possible. “Ogungbeje just brought a letter to the court this morning stating that he is at the Court of Appeal and asking for a stand-down of the matter till noon. “We don’t know when he will be here; even when he comes, the third defendant’s counsel, Mr Jude Igbanoi, is new to this matter and will need time to familiarise himself with the proof of evidence. “I, therefore, ask the court for a short adjournment,’’ Shitta-Bey said.

All the defendants’ counsel did not object to the application for adjournment.
Igbanoi, who is representing the third defendant, Okpara, had earlier informed the court that he was new to the case and would need time to familiarise himself with the proof of evidence.

Peter Fowoyo