Evans gets new lawyer, as former lawyer seeks police protection over threat to life

A few days after his lawyer dumped him over allegations of threat to life, alleged kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, on Friday revealed that he has gotten a new lawyer.

According to Evans, his new lawyer is Mr Noel Brown.

Mr Brown replaced Olukoya Ogungbeje who withdrew from the defence over alleged threat to his life.

However Evans trial over allegations of kidnap could not go on as scheduled before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court due to the absence of counsels to two other defendants, one of whom  Olukoya Ogungbeje was also defending.

The trial was stalled even as there were three prosecution witnesses in court billed to take to the witness stand.

The Lagos State prosecutor, Titilayo Shitta-Bey (Mrs), formerly read Ogungbeje’s letter of withdrawal to the court.

When the letter was read in the open court, Ogungbeje had at the same letter requested for protection of the Lagos State Police Commissioner in order to continue his representation of his clients.

The judge had described his position as confusing and demanded an explanation from the lead State prosecutor.

This development Shitta-Bey responded to the judge, “I read it. My Lord, on the one hand, Mr Ogungbeje wrote of his withdrawal and on the other is seeking for protection from Commissioner of Police Lagos in order to continue his representation of his clients.”

Also speaking to the letter, Evans new counsel, Mr Brown said, “We have gone through it. I am of the opinion that the allegation is weighty, we owe him a duty.”

However, Brown hinted that he has not received any threat to his life.

ALSO READ: Evans lawyer is trying to frustrate his trial, DPP alleges

Mr Emmanuel Ochai the counsel to Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba fifth and sixth defendants also aligned himself with Brown’s submissions.

The new counsel to the first and third defendants Mr Brown, however, informed the court that he needed a record of court proceedings in order to proceed with his clients, Evans and Ogechi Uchechukwu.

The second and fourth defendants had also told the judge that they intend to get new counsel for themselves as there was no legal representation for them on Friday.

Justice Oshodi adjourned continuation of trial till September 11, 2018, when a vacation judge will be sitting.

Nigerian  Tribune recalls that Ogungbeje, Evans former lawyer had withdrawn his services after he issued a press statement that he and his team had endured death threats and have decided to withdraw their representation of the alleged notorious kidnapper in his kidnap case across all the courts.