Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court has adjourned the trial of billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme “Evans” Onwuamadike, and his alleged accomplices until March 2.
The trial was adjourned on Friday due partly to the fact that Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, a co-defendant, had yet to secure legal representation.
Anselm Dunu, the brother of Donatius Dunu, a victim, was scheduled to be cross-examined on Friday by the defence counsel.
He was, however, not fully cross-examined by the defence because of the absence of Nwachukwu’s lawyer.
Evans and Nwachukwu are standing trial alongside Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba on a two-count of conspiracy and kidnapping.
Registering her displeasure, the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Titilayo Shitta-Bey, urged the court to proceed with the trial, noting that it was a ploy by the defence to delay proceedings.
The DPP also submitted that a speedy trial is fundamental in the speedy dispensation of justice and noted that Evans’ lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje could represent Nwachukwu and commence the cross-examination of Dunu.
Ogungbeje, however, denied trying to delay the trial, saying the family of Nwachukwu met him and they promised that they will perfect his brief in a week or two.
Justice Oshodi ordered that the defence counsel present in court should cross-examine Dunu.
Dunu, while being cross-examined by Ogungbeje, told the court that he did not know the persons who were given the N100m ransom for his brother’s release.
After Dunu left the witness box, Emmanuel Uchai, a defence counsel for Aduba, one of Evan’s co-defendants, applied orally for his bail.
Objecting to the application, Shitta-Bey told the court that she had a 15-page counter-affidavit and a written address to that effect.
Citing the Supreme Court case of Asari Dokubo Vs the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the DPP said that Aduba should be denied bail in the interest of the public.
Justice Oshodi, however, adjourned the case until March 2 for ruling on the bail application and the cross-examination of Dunu.
