JUSUN Strike Stalls ‘Evans’ Trial

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer
Evans, Accomplice Jailed 21 years For Kidnapping, Collecting $420,000 Ransom

Ad

SERAP Writes Tinubu, Demands Transparency in INEC’s Boss nomination

By Abiola Olawale The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to unveil the details of the selection process for the next Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman. With Professor Mahmood Yakubu's decade-long tenure set to expire in November 2025, SERAP warned that opacity in the appointment of the next…

Dangote Refinery: Crisis Cripples oil, gas supplies as PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike

By Abiola Olawale In an escalation of tensions in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, September 29, 2025. The move comes in response to what the union described as the "unlawful dismissal" of over 800 Nigerian workers…

5 Countries That Offer Loans For Buying Property Overseas

Securing a mortgage for the purpose of buying property overseas is possible in select countries. It’s true that it can be more challenging, as many foreign banks are cautious about lending to non-residents. It’s also true that the terms will likely be different from what you’re used to, especially if you’re American. Don’t expect a…

Ad

Mr Victor Okpara, the defence counsel of Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans has said the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has stalled the trial of his client.

Evans was scheduled to continue his defence on Wednesday before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court for the alleged kidnap of Mr Donatus Dunu, the Managing Director of the Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Speaking to the the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okpara said that Evans had opened his defence and testified that he was innocent of all the allegations levelled against him by the state.

“He has testified before the court as to his innocence regarding all the charges leveled against him as contained in the charge sheet.

“The matter was adjourned until April 14, for continuation of trial, because we have some other witnesses who are to corroborate what he has said but we cannot go on due to the strike,” he said.

Okpara, however, noted that though the ongoing strike by JUSUN had stalled the case, but said that the demands of the judicial workers was for the overall good of the judiciary.

“JUSUN is fighting for the financial autonomy of the judiciary which every right thinking lawyer should actually support.

“We cannot say our judiciary is truly independent when they are tied to the apron strings of the executive and they usually go cap in hand asking for money,” he said.

Okpara said though that every defendant has a right to have his day in court as provided in the 1999 Constitution, the most recent delay in the case is caused by unforeseen circumstances.

NAN reports that Evans was arraigned before Justice Oshodi on Aug. 31, 2017 on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping alongside five co-defendants.

His co-defendants are – Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba.

According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly kidnapped Dunu along Ilupeju Road, Lagos on Feb. 14, 2017 and collected 223,000 Euros as ransom from his family.

The trial has been delayed due to Evans’ changing his legal representation five times and most recently, the ongoing JUSUN strike which began on April 6.

Four prosecution witnesses including Dunu testified during the trial on behalf of the state.

As at the time of filing this report, no new date has been given by the court for the continuation of the trial due to the strike.

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp