Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, awarded a punitive cost of N20,000 against Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, lawyer to notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans.
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Ogungbeje drew Justice Anka’s ire after he failed to turn up or send a lawyer in his chamber before the judge in the N300m fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed on Evans’ behalf against the Inspector-General of Police.
The case was scheduled for hearing on Thursday but following Ogungbeje’s absence it was stalled.
The lawyer had written to the court, seeking an adjournment on the grounds that he was sick. But his failure to communicate with the other party infuriated the judge.
Consequently, Justice Anka handed down a fine of N20,000 against him.
While handing down the fine, the judge 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.”
