The re-arraignment of convicted billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, was delayed on Thursday at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja due to the absence of his counsel.
When the matter came before Justice Adenike Coker, the judge queried Evans about his lawyer’s whereabouts. The defendant responded, “I’m not sure if my lawyer is coming.”
Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were set to face an amended five-count charge, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping, and attempted murder.
Counsel’s Absence Raises Concerns
The second defendant’s counsel, Nelson Onyejaka, informed the court that he had unsuccessfully tried to reach Evans’ lawyer.
“My Lord, I tried his number and it’s not going through. Even this morning, I made further attempts, but he is not based in Lagos,” Onyejaka explained.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Sule expressed frustration at the repeated delays, attributing them to the first defendant’s legal representation.
“From the onset, the first defendant has been the one delaying this matter. It’s high time he engaged a lawyer in Lagos or briefed another lawyer to represent him so proceedings can move forward,” Sule stated.
The prosecutor also noted that the case, which dates back to 2017, has seen minimal progress and added that Evans had previously applied for a plea bargain but had not indicated whether he wished to proceed with it.
Judge Issues Warning, Adjourns Case
Justice Coker directed the prosecution to ensure the presence of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) during the next hearing.
“If his counsel fails to appear, the OPD will represent the first defendant, as the arraignment must proceed on the next date,” the judge ruled.
The case was adjourned to January 30, 2025, with the court ordering Evans to ensure his lawyer’s attendance on the adjourned date.
This development further underscores the challenges of prosecuting high-profile cases and maintaining judicial efficiency amidst persistent delays.
