Judge Orders Evans To Get Counsel Or May Appoint Legal Aid For Him

Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos High Court , Igbosere , has ordered the suspected kidnap kingpin , Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike ( alias Evans ) , to get for himself a counsel or he might be forced to appoint a legal aid for him.

The judge ’ s order followed the absence of the defence counsel, Mr . Chino Obiagwu (SAN ), who had on three consecutive occasions avoided proceedings for the defendant.

Similarly, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Special Offences Court , Ikeja , had on March 29 , 2019 ordered Evans to defend himself or appoint a legal aid for him following the absence of his counsel in court to represent him . At the hearing yesterday , Evans was not represented and there was no letter to the court to explain the reason for his counsel’ s absence.

But Evans told the court that the last time he spoke with him , he told him that he would appear on the next sitting . The prosecution counsel, Mr . Gbadebo Osuala, therefore prayed the court to invoke Section 233 ( 3 ) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law ( ACJL ), which empowers the court to appoint a counsel for the defendant.

The trial judge , therefore , ordered Evans to ensure he gets a legal representative before the next adjourned date . He said : “ If your lawyers don ’ t want to appear , we cannot force them. You have three options , you can get another lawyer to represent you or the court can appoint one for you or you can defend yourself . This is last day I will give you to get a lawyer . ” He subsequently adjourned further hearing in the suit to May 17 , 2019 .