Lagos lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje,
has justified his decision to defend suspected billionaire kidnapper,
Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, in court.
Ogungbeje has come under public criticisms for accepting the brief to seek freedom for Evans or have him charged to court, weeks after his arrest.
But, speaking with Saturday Sun yesterday, Ogungbeje, accused a section of the media, as well as many Nigerians of being ignorant of the law.
Citing a judgment delivered by Lord Denning, regarded as the most famous and influential judicial figure of the last century, he noted that it was settled in law that “no matter the bases of the complaints of the cause of your crime, no matter how unpopular is the cause of your crime, no matter how bad is the cause of your crime, the legal practitioner has a duty to take up the cause, if he’s properly briefed and provided that person represents his client within the bounds of law.”
He added: “That is my answer to your question. So, no matter the public opinion, I have the responsibility to take up the matter. We were properly briefed. So, our action is based on law.
And we want to represent our client within the bounds of law, within the confines of law. So, if you for instance, you’re a journalist, if you brief me… you don’t want me to take up your cause, because people are saying negative things about you, or because people have condemned you and found you guilty before the media, that I should not take up your case?
Look, let me tell you right away. We were briefed two weeks ago. And I told them to give me two weeks to think, whether I would take up the brief or not. I did my consultations.
We consulted even journalists, you can go and make enquiries. I consulted my
people. I consulted senior lawyers. So, have I done what is wrong by taking the
cause of my clients? Forget what people say in the court of public of
opinion."
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Keep quite! Ole.
ReplyDeleteLawyers?? You are doing your job jooo. I pray you will be the next victim. By then we will see if you yourself will not becomes a clients in their hands.
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ReplyDeleteLet the kidnapper's fundamental human rights be enforced. He is a Nigerian and he is entitled to his inalienable rights according to our law. My only reservation is that during his kidnapping stints, Evans did not respect the Federal Character principle in engaging people of other ethnic groups. But now that the noose is dangling before him, he is resorting to a non-igbo man to hold his brief. Every move of the skilled kidnapper points at smart schemes. I doubt he stands any chance of freedom though. Ogungbeje will only use this opportunity to become renowned in the law profession. Shit money no dey smell, they say.
ReplyDeleteSafari, wise opinion. U spoke my mind. Period.
ReplyDeleteSafari, wise opinion. U spoke my mind. Period.
ReplyDelete