An Ikeja High Court presided over by Justice Hakeem Oshodi has dismissed a ‘no case’ application filed by four co-defendants of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike also known as Evans.
Justice Oshodi, in a ruling, on Friday held that the four have case to answer and ordered them to open their defense.
The co-defendants are Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.
According to the judge there are substantial evidence, especially the confessional statements of the defendants, to warrant their trial alongside Evans.
Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba, had filed no-case submissions, praying the court to dismiss the charges against them by the Lagos State government.
During trial which commenced 2017, Evans changed counsel several times.
READ ALSO: Kidnap Kingpin, Evans, not Forced to make Confessional Statements – Judge
At resumed proceedings on Friday, Justice Oshodi asked his new counsel, Oyekunle to sign an undertaking that he will follow the matter to conclusion failure of which the court will be at liberty to report his chambers, Victor Okpara and Co. to Nigeria Bar Association, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
Counsel to the other defendants, Roger Adewole, Olanrewaju .O. Ajanaku, M.C. Izokwu and Emmanuel Ochai, respectively aligned with Oyekunle and asked the court to give them time to enter their defence.
Justice Oshodi granted their prayer and adjourned till October 16.
Evans is standing trial alongside Amadi, Uchechukwu, Ifeanyi, Nwachukwu and Aduba over the alleged kidnap of the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, Mr. Donatius Dunu.
They were arraigned on August 30, 2017 on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.
According to the prosecution, they allegedly kidnapped Dunu and collected 223,000 Euros (N100m) as ransom.
