Kidnap suspect, Evans, floors Police in court

Suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (popularly known as Evans), yesterday secured a rare victory against the police after a federal judge dismissed applications to stall his fundamental rights suit.

 

Judge Abdulaziz Anka also berated the police counsel, Emmanuel Eze, for “drinking Panadol for another man’s headache” after the lawyer attempted to speak for the Inspector-General of Police, while appearing for the Commissioner of Police.

 

The judge had adjourned, on Tuesday, to rule on whether it would proceed to hear the fundamental rights suit filed by Evans’ lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, after it was opposed by the police.

 

Eze, appearing for the police commissioner and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, had argued that the applicant had not served the court processes to the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force.

 

He also argued that the applicant did not seek the leave of the court to hear the suit during the courts’ vacation, which began last month.

 

The police lawyer further argued that Ogungbeje ought to seek the permission of the court to enable him serve court processes to the IGP as well as the Police Force at their headquarters in Abuja.

 

Anka said since Eze had been in contact with the IGP’s office in Abuja, it presupposes that they ought to know about the suit and file their response.

The judge, however, turned down a request by Ogungbeje to award N100,000 against the police for stalling the hearing of the suit.

The judge agreed with him and said since the accused’s counsel filed his reply on points of law and served the police since July 20, the latter ought to have been prepared for the hearing.

“This case came up for mention on 30th June, 2017, it’s almost eight weeks of filing this action without any hearing, which ordinarily should be done within seven days,” said the judge.

 

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