The absence of the defence counsel of alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans and a prosecution witness has stalled two of his ongoing trials at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
The two trials are for the kidnap of a businessman, Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu and the attempted kidnapping of Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.
During proceedings for the Ahamonu case, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule informed the court that the next prosecution witness scheduled to testify was absent in court.
Mr Emeka Anyanwu who was representing Evans’ lead defence counsel, Mr Victor Okpara also informed the court that Okpara was unavoidably absent as he had an urgent matter to attend to in Abuja.
Following the submissions of counsel, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo issued a Witness Summons for the unnamed prosecution witness and adjourned the case until October 14 for continuation of trial.
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The scheduled Obianodo case which was slated for continuation of the trial-within-trial was also adjourned until September 24 due to the absence of Evans’ defence counsel.
In the Ahamonu case, Evans is being tried alongside Victor Aduba, a dismissed member of the Nigerian Army.
The duo face a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Evans and the dismissed soldier are accused of kidnapping
Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu on June 28, 2014, at Saka St., Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos.
They allegedly held him hostage for at least nine weeks and collected a ransom of 420,000 dollars from his family.
In the Obianodo case, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong.
According to the prosecution, Evans and his three co-defendants committed the offences on Aug. 27, 2013 at Third Ave., Festac, Town Lagos.
Evans and his accomplices are alleged to have killed Mr Chijioke Ngozi and attempted to kill and kidnap Obianodo, the boss of Young Shall Grow Motors.
The prosecution also allege that in 2008, Upong sold and transferred two AK47 rifles and 70 rounds of live ammunition to Evans.
