The N300 million case filed by arrested billionaire kidnap kingpin, Evans, born Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, against the Nigerian Police Force, The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and two others has suffered a massive setback.
The case which was scheduled for hearing on Thursday morning before a Justice of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Abdulaziz Anka could not be treated following the absence of the arrested billionaire kidnap kingpin’s legal representative, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, from the court.
Ogungbeje who had taken up the case to defend Evans against the Nigerian Law enforcement agency had written to the court seeking an adjournment on the grounds of ill health.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Anka awarded a punitive cost of N20,000 against him for what he described as unprofessional conduct.
The judge stated that the excuse presented by Evans’ legal counsel seeking adjournment of the case on grounds of ill health was not copied to the legal counsel of the Nigerian Police, a respondent in the case.
Justice Anka who described the move as unprofessional for a lawyer further warned Evans’ counsel to desist from such shameful conduct.
Justice Anka in his ruling said: “The court has noted the conduct of counsel, who wrote to the court without copying other parties. This is unprofessional. The court hereby warns the counsel to desist from such a conduct.”
The Judge further held that the N20,000 fine imposed on Ogungbeje for his conduct and lack of professionalism must be paid before the case comes up before the court again otherwise Ogungbeje will not be given an audience.