After pleading guilty to kidnapping, Evans’ fundamental rights suit adjourned

The N300 million suit slammed on the Inspector-General of
Police, Ibrahim Idris, and three others by suspected billionaire
kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (also known as Evans),
challenging his continued detention was on Tuesday adjourned till
September 21.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Lagos Division of the Federal High
Court while adjourning the matter held that there was no urgency
for the suit to be heard during the court’s vacation.

The judge, who is sitting as a vacation judge, held that the
arraignment of Evans before the State High Court, last week has
relaxed the urgency in the suit.

Evans pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping
when he was arraigned before a judge last week.

In the fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed before a
federal court, Evans through his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, had
attached an affidavit of urgency as he sought a court order
directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release
him on bail if they are not ready for prosecution.

The alleged kidnapper had been in police custody since June
10.

In the suit, Mr. Ogungbeje had argued that Evans’ detention
without being charged to court was a violation of his client’s
fundamental rights enshrined in Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a)
(b) and 36 of the Constitution.

For his alleged unlawful detention without being charged to
court, Evans wants the court to award N300 million damages against
the police in his favour.

Other respondents in the suit are the Nigerian Police Force;
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; and the Lagos State
Anti-Robbery Squad.

Another vacation judge, Abdulaziz Anka, had earlier fixed August
29 to deliver judgement, but a fresh application by the police
caused the judge to reschedule to a later date.

But on Tuesday, Mr. Obiozor held that there was nothing
urgent in the matter anymore due to the latest development on
the matter and adjourned till September 21 for further
proceedings.

The N300 million suit slammed on the Inspector-General of
Police, Ibrahim Idris, and three others by suspected billionaire
kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (also known as Evans),
challenging his continued detention was on Tuesday adjourned till
September 21.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Lagos Division of the Federal High
Court while adjourning the matter held that there was no urgency
for the suit to be heard during the court’s vacation.

The judge, who is sitting as a vacation judge, held that the
arraignment of Evans before the State High Court, last week has
relaxed the urgency in the suit.

Evans pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping
when he was arraigned before a judge last week.

In the fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed before a
federal court, Evans through his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, had
attached an affidavit of urgency as he sought a court order
directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release
him on bail if they are not ready for prosecution.

The alleged kidnapper had been in police custody since June
10.

In the suit, Mr. Ogungbeje had argued that Evans’ detention
without being charged to court was a violation of his client’s
fundamental rights enshrined in Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a)
(b) and 36 of the Constitution.

For his alleged unlawful detention without being charged to
court, Evans wants the court to award N300 million damages against
the police in his favour.

Other respondents in the suit are the Nigerian Police Force;
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; and the Lagos State
Anti-Robbery Squad.

Another vacation judge, Abdulaziz Anka, had earlier fixed August
29 to deliver judgement, but a fresh application by the police
caused the judge to reschedule to a later date.

But on Tuesday, Mr. Obiozor held that there was nothing
urgent in the matter anymore due to the latest development on
the matter and adjourned till September 21 for further
proceedings.