GET A NEW LAWYER, ELSE YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, COURT TELLS EVANS

 “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”, the judge declared.

Penpushing recalled that, the suspected kidnap kingpin trial was on January 30 and March 1, stalled as a result of the absence of his counsel, and that on March 22 the court did not sit.

Penpushing further reports that Evans in the first charge is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba, while the second charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

The accused in his response told the court, “the last time we spoke, he told me that he will appear on the next sitting”, but at the court no member of Evans’ legal team was present, and there was no letter to the court to explain the reason for the absence.

Penpushing further reports that, the Prosecutor, Y. G. Oshoala, 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.

“Where the defendant fails to secure legal representation, the court has the discretion to order the legal aid counsel to provide a representation for the defendant. This is the third time this matter is called and the first (Evans) defendant is not represented”.

Penpushing reports that, the judge, Justice Adedayo  Akintoye adjourned the case until May 17 for continuation of trial.