The new lawyer is Mr R.B.C Eke and he is Evans’ third counsel since the defendant’s arraignment in 2017.
Evans had been without a lawyer since January 31 after former counsel, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje and Mr Chino Obiagwu, SAN, consecutively withdrew from the case in unclear circumstances.
The defendant is standing trial on two separate charges before the judge.
In the first, he is on trial alongside Joseph Ikenna Emeka, 29, Chiemeka Arinze, 39, Udeme Frank Upong, 43, on a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to kidnap and selling of firearms.
In the second charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.
Justice Adedayo Akintoye had on April 10 given Evans till today to get a new lawyer.
The judge told Evans, whose case suffered three adjournments following his failure to secure legal representation, that he had only three options: he could defend himself, get a new counsel or the court would appoint a legal aid counsel for him, Justice Adedayo said.
The judge gave the warning following the third consecutive absence of Obiagwu.
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