The re-arraignment of convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, was delayed due to the absence of his legal counsel before Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
When the case was called on Thursday, Justice Coker inquired about Evans’s lawyer, to which Evans responded, “I’m not sure if my lawyer is coming.”
Evans, along with his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, was scheduled to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit felony (kidnapping), and attempted murder.
Upon further questioning, Nelson Onyejaka, the counsel for the second defendant, Joseph Emeka, explained that he had attempted to contact Evans’s lawyer, but his efforts had been unsuccessful. “My Lord, I tried his number and it’s not going through. Even this morning, I tried and was told he is not based in Lagos,” Onyejaka said.
The State Prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, informed the court that the hearing was intended for re-arraignment but was hindered due to the absence of Evans’s counsel. He requested an adjournment, emphasizing that this delay was a recurring issue. “It’s been a trend from the beginning of this case that the first defendant is the one causing delays,” Sule noted. “It is time he hires a lawyer based in Lagos or arranges for another lawyer to represent him so the case can proceed.”
Sule also pointed out that the case dates back to 2017 and mentioned that Evans had previously expressed interest in a plea bargain, though it was unclear whether he still wished to pursue that option.
In response, Justice Coker ordered that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) be present on the next adjournment date, ensuring representation for Evans if his lawyer is absent. “The OPD can represent the first defendant if his counsel is not present because the arraignment must proceed at the next adjourned date,” the judge stated.
The case was adjourned to January 30, 2025, for re-arraignment, with a directive for Evans to ensure his lawyer attends the court hearing.
