Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Special Offences Court in Ikeja has served a note of warning to the prosecutor team in charge of the trials of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, known as Evans to buckle up with the trial.
The judge who expressed concerned about the slow pace of proceedings when the state Counsel, Mrs O.A Bajulaiye-Bishi informed the court that the two separate charges before the court would not hold.
When the first suit was announced, Mrs O.A Bajulaiye-Bishi informed the court that the prosecution was unable to serve the summons issued to the witness due to testify because of the ill health of the lead prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule.
While in the second suits, Bajulaiye-Bishi, informed the court that the witness Insp Idowu Haruna, Investigating Police Officer (IPO) who was due to continue his testimony in the trial-within-trial was unavailable.
The prosecutor informed the court that the IPO was on an official assignment and that he will be “hopefully present” on the next adjourned date.
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Reacting, the Evans’ counsel, Mr Victor Okpara, told the court that he was earlier informed of the development by the prosecutor.
He however stated that if there is a repeat of such scenario on the next adjourned date defence team would have to make the necessary applications to the court.
In a short ruling, the judge noted that it appears the prosecution is not ready with their witnesses.
She said that the two cases before her had commenced since 2017 while granting the prosecution a last chance to put its house in order.
“Both cases are adjourned until April 5 for the continuation of hearing”
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in the first suit, Evans is facing trial alongside Victor Aduba, a dismissed member of the Nigerian Army on a four count charges of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Evans and the dismissed soldier are accused of kidnapping Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu, holding him hostage for at least nine weeks and collecting a ransom of 420,000 dollars from his family.
In the second suit, Evans is facing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong over the attempted kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.
They are facing a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms.
Evans is also facing two trials for kidnap before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court and Justice Adedayo Akintoye of an Igbosere High Court.
