Justice Adedayo Akintoye of an Igbosere High Court, Lagos, has ordered the suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, to engage a counsel by May seventeen.

Akintoye gave the order, due to the absence of Evans’ counsel, Chino Obiagwu, for the third time in a row which again stalled the continuation of hearing in the on-going trial of the alleged kidnap kingpin.

According to the Judge, Evans has three options, either to get another lawyer to represent him, or the court appoints one for him, or he defends yourself.

Akintoye adjourned the case until May seventeen for continuation of trial.

Evans trial was stalled on January thirty and March one, due to the absence of the defence counsel, while on March twenty-two the court did not sit.

Evans is facing charges bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder.

In the first charge, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

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

At the resumed hearing today, Evans’ counsel did not make any appearance.

However, Evans himself told the court: “The last time we spoke, he told me that he will appear on the next sitting”.

However, the Prosecutor, Mr 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.

The court, however, advised Evans to ensure that he got a legal representative before the next adjourned date.