Alleged kidnap kingpin, Evans, gets new lawyer after 108 days

Kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans

Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, has got a new lawyer after having difficulty in getting a legal representative for 108 days.

Evans has been without a counsel since January 31, after former counsels, Olukoys Ogungbeje and Chino Obiagwu withdrew from the case following disagreements.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye of Lagos High Court in Igbosere, Lagos Island had on April 10 given Evans a deadline of May 17 to find himself a new lawyer.

At the resumed trial on Friday, Evans presented his new lawyer as R.B.C Eke.

The defendant, who has been on trial since 2017, is on two separate charges before the judge.

In the first, he is on trial alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, 29; Chiemeka Arinze, 39; Udeme Frank Upong, 43; on a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to kidnap and selling of firearms.

In the second charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

Mr Eke pleaded with the court for an adjournment for him to study the case file

Justice Akintoye granted his prayer and adjourned till June 27 for continuation of trial within trial of Evans on the first charge.