The inability of alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to pay for his legal representation has stalled two trials before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the counsel to Evans and Chiemeka Arinze his co-odefendant, Mr Chinoye Obiagwu (SAN) had written to the court to request for adjournment in both cases.
Daily Post recalls that Mr Chino Obiagwu (SAN), was absent on friday at the on-going trial of the alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans.
Some parts of the letter was read in court by Mr Abiodun Alagbe, the state prosecutor and signed by Mr Noel Brown on behalf of Obiagwu.
The letter reads, “Now that he (Obiagwu) is on hand to lead the defence, he finds that the families of the defendants are yet to provide some necessary yet critical obligations, which to prevent any embarrassment, and for the safety and well being of the defendants, who are still being held in custody, he (Obiagwu) would not want disclosed to the open court.”
The state Prosecutor also noted that Evans’ defence team were also absent in court during the on Feb. 6.
Reacting to the letter, Justice Taiwo expressed her dissapointment at the request for an adjournment.
She said, “It is ridiculous that we should wait for the first defendant (Evans) and his counsel to negotiate for a case that is already in court,” she said.
Justice Taiwo also requested for the Adjournment of the case, “The first and second defendants have filed submissions on the trial-within-trial, the prosecution has responded but are yet to serve the first defendant.
“The first defendant’s counsel had been absent for two dates in a row.
“This case is adjourned to March 20 for adoption of final written addresses.”
When the suit was announced, Justice Taiwo adjourned the case until March 29, for further hearing.
