By CHINYERE OMEIRE

Hearing in the plea bargain application filed by the convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (a.k.a Evans), could not proceed on Thursday due to the absence of the legal advice.

Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, had filed the application before a Lagos High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.

They are standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder preferred against them by Lagos Government.

Evans is charged alongside Emeka, Victor Aduba and Linus Opara.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Mr M. O. Olateju, told the court that the prosecution was waiting for advice from the plea bargain committee.

He, therefore, asked the court for a further date so that the advice would be ready.

“We shall be asking for a further date for hearing of plea bargain by the first and second defendants,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans and Emeka had opted for a plea bargain on the charge against them.

However, Mrs A. C Enueshike, the third defendant’s counsel, told the court that her client was ready to proceed for trial.

“We have heard the submission of the prosecution and we are ready to proceed for trial,” she had said.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike, thereafter, adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for further hearing.

NAN reports that the case started denovo after the case file was transferred from Justice Adedayo Akintoye, the initial trial judge.

NAN recalls that Justice Akintoye was handling the trial at Igbosere part of the High Coourt, before it got burnt during the October 2020 #Endsars saga.

The prosecution had said that the defendants committed the offences on Sept.7, 2015, at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

According to the prosecution, Evans and his co-defendants allegedly kidnapped one Mr James Uduji and collected a ransom of 1.2 million US Dollars.

He alleged that the defendants attempted to murder another victim, one Mr Donatus Nwoye, by shooting him on the hand.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 230, 271(3) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015. (NAN)

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