The Lagos State Office of Public Defender mayrepresent the convicted kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (alias Evans) charged with kidnapping, on January 30, 2025, due to the absence of his counsel on several adjourned dates.

Justice Adenike Cokers of Ikeja High Court, on Thursday asked the prosecution to ensure the presence of OPD at the next proceeding, if Evans’ counsel did not show up.

Ms Cokers said, “Tell your lawyer, January 30 2025 is for your re-arraignment and the prosecution should ensure that the office of public defender is on ground. OPD can represent the first defendant if his counsel is not present in court because the arraignment must go on at the next date of adjournment.’’

The judge thereafter adjourned the case until January 30, 2025 for re-arraignment.

Earlier, when the case was called, counsel to Evans’ co-defendant, Nelson Onyejaka, told the court that attempts to reach Evans’ counsel were futile.

“My lord, the first defendant’s counsel comes from Abuja and I tried his number on several occasions but it was unreachable. When I got to court this morning, both the prosecutor and myself tried his number, it was still not available,” Mr Onyejaka said.

The State Counsel, Yusuf Sule, also  submitted that Evan’s counsel had not been reachable.

Mr Sule prayed the court for another adjourned date.

He also urged the court to order Evans to get in touch with his lawyer or to get another counsel to represent him.

The prosecutor said, “My lord, this is a 2017 matter and the first defendant is the one delaying the matter as his lawyer has been absent in court on several occasions. We pray the court will order the first defendant to get in touch with his lawyer or get another lawyer to represent him.”

The case on October10 suffered a setback when Evans’ counsel was absent in court.

The prosecution on May 11 informed the court  that  the defendants applied for plea bargaining. Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka have yet to be re-arraigned on an amended five count bordering on murder, attempt to murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

The prosecutor, however, said the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Evans was convicted and jailed for extensive kidnap activities.

In February 2022, an Ikeja High Court Judge, Hakeem Oshodi, sentenced him to life imprisonment for the kidnap of Chief Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

In September 2022, another judge of the court, Oluwatoyin Taiwo (now retired), sentenced Evans to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman, Chief Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.

Evans is still standing trial in two other kidnapping cases.

(NAN)