Alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has hired a new lawyer, following the withdrawal of his original counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje.
Ogungbeje had in a recent press release announced his withdrawal from the case, citing threat to his life and other members of his team.
The new lawyer, Noel Brown, announced appearance for Evans and one of his co-defendants, Ogechi Uchechukwu, at their resumed trial before Justice Hakeem Oshodi at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Friday.
Brown prompted Justice Oshodi to confirm from Evans and Uchechukwu that he was their new lawyer, to which they both answered in the affirmative.
However, while the 5th and 6th defendants – Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba – were represented by Messrs A.A. Uzoukwu and Emmanuel Ochai respectively, the 2nd and 4th defendants – Uche Amadi and Okechukwu Nwachukwu – had no lawyer to represent them.
Asked by the court what they intended to do, Amadi and Nwachukwu both said they were planning to change their lawyers, adding that they hoped to get one before the next date, following adjournment of the matter.
Reacting, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, who is leading the state prosecuting team, said though the prosecution had three witnesses in court, they would concede to “a very short” adjournment to enable the new lawyer, Brown, to study the case and for the 2nd and 4th defendants to get new lawyers.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case till September 11, 2018 for continuation of trial.
