Absence of prosecution witness stalls Evans’ trial

Absence of a prosecution witness has stalled the continuation of the trial of Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, suspected kidnap kingpin better known as Evans, at an Igbosere high court in Lagos.

Evans is facing two separate charges, bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder, before Adedayo Akintoye, a judge.

In the first charge, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
In the second charge, he is standing trial alongside Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

At the resumed trial, Adebayo Haroun, counsel to the state, told the court that the witness, a police inspector, was absent due to his engagement elsewhere on another assignment.

He told the court that the inspector would be available to testify by September 14.

“The witness is on another assignment but he will be here tomorrow,” he said.

The judge, after listening to the plea, fixed September 14 for continuation of hearing.

On June 26, Olukoya Ogunbeje, Evans’ former counsel, had asked the court to quash the charge, arguing that the proof of evidence did not disclose any prima-facie case against the defendant.

But, the judge discharged the application, saying the charges filed against Evans did not offend the rule of duplicity as enshrined in Nigeria’s laws and, therefore, lacked merit.