The Lagos State Office of Public Defender (OPD) may step in to represent convicted kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, during his re-arraignment scheduled for January 30, 2025.
This followed repeated absences of his counsel during prior court proceedings.
Justice Adenike Coker of the Ikeja High Court directed on Thursday that the OPD be present at the next hearing if Evans’ lawyer fails to appear again, emphasizing the need for the case to proceed without further delays.
Addressing Evans directly, Justice Coker stated, “Tell your lawyer that January 30, 2025, is set for your re-arraignment. If your counsel is not present, the prosecution should ensure the Office of Public Defender is available to represent you so the arraignment can proceed.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to the specified date for re-arraignment.
Earlier, counsel for Evans’ co-defendant, Nelson Onyejaka, informed the court of unsuccessful attempts to reach Evans’ lawyer. “My lord, the first defendant’s counsel is based in Abuja. I have tried contacting him several times, but his number remains unreachable. Both the prosecutor and I attempted again this morning without success,” Onyejaka said.
State Counsel Yusuf Sule confirmed the difficulties in contacting Evans’ lawyer and requested another adjournment. He urged the court to direct Evans to either contact his current counsel or appoint a new one to avoid further delays.
“This is a 2017 case, and the first defendant has been the cause of repeated setbacks due to his lawyer’s absence. We ask the court to order him to secure legal representation so this matter can move forward,” Sule submitted.
The case has seen repeated delays, including on October 10, when Evans’ counsel was also absent.
Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, are yet to be re-arraigned on amended charges, which include five counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The prosecution disclosed on May 11 that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain, which is currently under review by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN).
Evans, who was convicted and imprisoned for multiple kidnapping offenses, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2022 by Justice Hakeem Oshodi for the abduction of Chief Donatus Dunu, CEO of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. In September 2022, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced him to 21 years for kidnapping businessman Chief Sylvanus Ahamonu and extorting a $420,000 ransom from his family.
Evans continues to face trial in two additional kidnapping cases.
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