Proceedings were again stalled on Thursday in the ongoing trial of suspected billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans and four others at the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos.
Trial failed to resume yesterday owing to the inability of Evans to get a counsel to represent him in court.
Also absent in court was the prosecution and the investigation police officer.
A visibly angry trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo told Evans to get a counsel to defend him at the next trial date.
“Make sure you have a lawyer on the April 3. If you do not have a lawyer, we will get one for you. You cannot continue to delay this case,” Justice Taiwo told him.
Justice Taiwo also put Legal Aid Council on notice, saying that the agency should be prepared to take up Evans’ case if he does not have legal representation at the next sitting of the court. Evans is facing trial alongside four others, Uche Amadi, Okechukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Victor Chukwunonso Aduba and Ogechi Uchechukwu.
They are facing a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
The prosecution had accused Evans and others of kidnapping Mr. Sylvanus Ahamonu and holding him hostage for nine weeks and collecting ransom to the tune of USD 420,000 from his family.
When the case came up on Thursday before Justice Taiwo, all the defendants were in court and represented by their counsels, except Evans.
The development forced Justice Taiwo to adjourned to April 3 for continuation of trial.