Absence of co-defendants stalls ‘kidnap’ trial of Evans

The re-arraignment of Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, the suspected kidnap kingpin, popularly known as Evans, was stalled on Thursday due to the absence of co-defendants.

Evans and three others, Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong are standing trial on a seven-count charge of murder, conspiracy to kidnap, and selling of firearms.

On Thursday, only Evans and Emeka appeared before Adenike Coker, a judge at the Ikeja high court, Lagos.

Arinze and Upong were absent from the court.

During the court proceedings, the presiding judge asked the prosecution team the reasons for the absence of Arinze and Upong.

Responding, Titi Adeegbe, the prosecutor, told the court that she had no information about the current status of Arinze and Upong.

But Mary Dibiaeze, counsel representing Evans, said Arinze had died while Upon had been discharged from the case.

Nelson Onyejaka, counsel to Emeka, informed the court that they had not been served proof of evidence by the prosecution.

On her part, Coker asked the prosecution to tidy up the case and ensure that counsels are served proof of evidence before the next adjourned date.

The judge adjourned the matter until February 1 for arraignment.

In February 2022, akeem Oshodi, an Ikeja high court judge, had convicted Evans and two others on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.

They were found guilty of kidnapping Donatus Dunu, chief executive officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

According to the prosecution, they allegedly kidnapped Dunu in Lagos on February 14, 2017, and collected £223,000 (N100 million) as ransom from his family.

On February 25, 2022, the suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment.