Hearing Delayed Due to Absenteeism of Key Parties

On Thursday, a scheduled plea bargain hearing for convicted kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, known as Evans, was postponed at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja because he was not present.

Both the prosecution attorney and Evans’s co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were also missing during the hearing.

Evans and Emeka face serious charges, including conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder, placed against them by the Lagos State government.

During the previous court session on May 11, prosecutor Yusuf Sule informed the court that the defendants had submitted a request for a plea deal, which was under review by Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro, SAN.

However, at Thursday’s session, Nelson Onyejaka, counsel for the absent co-defendant, expressed disbelief at the absence of both the prosecution lawyer and Evans’s attorney.

In response, Justice Coker issued a production warrant for the defendants to ensure their presence in court on November 21 and postponed the proceedings to receive an update on the plea bargain negotiations.