Why Billionaire kidnapper Evans Trial Stalled

Alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, inability to pay his legal fees has stalled two trials before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

According to NAN, the counsel to Evans and Chiemeka Arinze his co-defendant, Mr. Chinoye Obiagwu (SAN) had written to the court to request for an adjournment in both cases.

Some parts of the letter were 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 defense, 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’ defense team were also absent in court during the on Feb. 6.

Reacting to the letter, Justice Taiwo expressed her disappointment 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.”

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 the adoption of final written addresses.”

When the suit was announced, Justice Taiwo adjourned the case until March 29, for further hearing.