The trial of the convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, well known as Evans, was on Friday stalled due to a fire incident which affected his transportation to the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Evans is standing trial 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 (Friday) to hear the evidence of Obianodo via zoom.
At the beginning of proceedings on Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, said 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.
“For security reasons, the defendants cannot be present in court,” Justice Taiwo said.
The judge, therefore, adjourned the case until July 25, 2022, 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.
READ ALSO: Court sentences Evans, 2 others to life imprisonment
One of the co-defendants of Evans, Frank Udeme, had been sentenced to five years imprisonment on March 11.
Udeme had pleaded guilty to selling firearms to Evans.
According to the prosecution, Evans and Emeka committed the offence on August 27, 2013, at Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos.
Evans and his accomplice were alleged to have killed one Ngozi Chijioke and attempted to kidnap and kill Obianodo.
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 Obianodo.
The murder case before Taiwo has also been adjourned until July 25 for the second defendant to open his defense.
Evans is facing four kidnapping charges at various high courts of Lagos State.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi on February 25, 2022, sentenced him and two others to life imprisonment for kidnapping Donatius Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
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