The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned the fundamental rights suit filed by suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, till September 21.
Through a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is praying the court to order his unconditional release from detention or to charge him.
He is claiming N300million as damages for alleged illegal detention and rights violation.
Justice Chuka Obiozor, who sits as a vacation judge and considers only urgent applications, said Evans’ suit was no longer urgent.
He said having been arraigned at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, his suit could be heard when the Federal High Court resumes from its annual long vacation.
Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who earlier heard the case, had adjourned till August 29 for judgment after parties argued it and adopted their addresses on August 16.
But, police counsel, Mr. David Igbodo, said a lawyer, Henry Obiazi, who represented the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police did so without authorisation.
The police prayed the court to set aside all the “purported” arguments made by Obiazi and set aside the ruling delivered by Justice Anka on August 16 in which he adjourned for judgment.
A day later, Evans and five others were arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
While Evans and two others pleaded guilty to the charges, the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution said the defendants between February 14 and April 12 along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, captured and detained one Mr. Duru Donatus.
The defendants allegedly collected a ransom of 223,000 Euros to release Donatus.
Ogungbeje later issued a statement alleging that Evans was forced to plead guilty.
“We intend to challenge this unconstitutional procedure of hoodwinking, unduly influencing, brainwashing and coercing an accused into entering a guilty plea against his wish and freewill.
“Our client (Evans) pointedly told us that having been informed, he will change his ‘police motivated guilty plea’ to ‘not guilty’ at the next adjourned date,” he said.
Evans trial will begin on October 19.
