The trial of a convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, known as Evans, was stalled today due to a fire incident which affected his transportation to Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Evans is standing trial alongside alongside Joseph Emeka for attempted kidnap of the chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo.
The court had on June 15 fixed today to hear the evidence of Obianodo, via zoom.
At the beginning of today’s proceedings, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo said that there was a fire incident which affected the transportation of the defendants.
“I was informed by the Officer in Charge of legal (OC) that there was fire incident which affected the transportation of the defendants.
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“For security reasons, the defendants can not be present in court,” the judge said.
The judge adjourned the case until July 25 for trial.
The court had on March 11 ordered Evans to engage a lawyer before the next date of adjournment or be ready to defend himself.
Evans and his accomplice are alleged to have killed one Ngozi Chijioke and attempted to kidnap and kill Obianodo.
According to the prosecution, Evans and Emeka committed the offence on Aug. 27, 2013, at Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos.
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The defendants pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms levelled against them.
The sister case before the court was also adjourned till July 25 for the second defendant to open his defense.
The court had on June 15 rejected the submission of the new counsel to Evans, Mr Amobi Nzelu to postpone the trial.
Evans is standing trial along Victor Aduba, an ex-soldier for allegedly kidnapping a businessman, Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu, and collecting a 420,000 dollars ransom from his family.
Evans had on Feb. 4 opened his defence and denied kidnapping Ahamonu and collecting 420,000 dollars ransom from his family.
