On Monday, the absence of the convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme ‘Evans’ Onwuamadike and co-defendant Joseph Emeka, stalled their trial before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo had expressed displeasure over the absence of the defendants during the proceedings.

Mrs Taiwo queried one of the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre warders who was present in court, asking why the defendants were not present for trial.

Responding, the warder said there was a mix up on the date, adding that the date on their record for the appearance of the defendants was April 28.

The judge was, however, not satisfied with the explanation.

“Why are the defendants not in court? Somebody changed the date from March 28 to April 28. Do you know anything about this? I will follow up on this.

“When there is no defendants’ presence, we will have to adjourn the case because the defendants have to be properly represented.

“Information reaching me just now is that a lawyer from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria just stepped out of the court immediately this case was mentioned.

“In this case, the first defendant must represent himself if he cannot find any counsel to represent him,” Mrs Taiwo said.

Also, the state prosecutor, Yusuf Sule,  informed the court that the prosecution witness, Vincent Obianodo, whom the defendants allegedly kidnapped, was ready to testify via the Zoom app.

One of the co-defendants, Frank Udeme, was sentenced to five years in Kirikiri Correctional Centre on March 11, after he pleaded guilty to selling firearms to the convict.

According to the prosecution, Messrs Evans and Emeka committed the offences on August 27, 2013, at Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos.

Evans and his accomplice allegedly killed one Ngozi Chijioke and attempted to kidnap and kill Obianodo, chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.

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 over the attempted kidnap of Mr Obianodo.

The sister case of Evans alongside his co-defendant, an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba, which was slated for the adoption of final written address and date of judgement, was also stalled.

Evans was alleged to have kidnapped businessman Sylvanus Ahamonu and collected a $420,000 ransom from his family.

Mrs Taiwo adjourned both until May 6 to continue the trial and adoption of the final written address.

(NAN)