Crime News
Evans Lawyer, Barrister Olukoya Ogungbeje: Why I Chose To Defend Lagos Most Wanted Kidnapper
July 1st, 2017 – Billionaire Kindapper Evans Lawyer, Barrister Olukoya Ogungbeje: Why I Chose To Defend Lagos Most Wanted Kidnapper
Barrister Olukoya Ogungbeje, a Lagos-based lawyer 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 from police detention, or have him charged to court, weeks after his arrest.
Nigerians had taken to the media to condemn the move, saying, the notorious criminal suspect who confessed to denying his victims their freedom did not deserve mercy considering the atrocities he reportedly committed with his gang members.
But, speaking with The 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.
Danti
July 1, 2017 at 6:19 AM
Sir, I understand you very well. But if this criminal had done you or friends and family wrong,would you take up the case? At this point, you should feel compelled or obligated by morality not to get involved. After all, this man is a well- known horror not just one time criminal who could get light sentence. His crimes are; armed robbery, murder, terroristic kidnapping, economic sabotage,possession of firearms and undermining and not conforming to the law of the land. With all these, he is worse than Anini and co and we all remember how that story ended.
Marcus Garvey ll
July 1, 2017 at 4:26 PM
And if you or your brother were the person accused of such crimes, would you not expect a fair trial with proper representation? The accused seems to be worse than maggots but the lawyer has not done anything wrong. If found guilty, the prisoner should be starved to death, though I doubt there is such provision in Nigerian law.
Felix
July 1, 2017 at 7:08 AM
For you to have taken Evans issue upon yourself as a defence counsel, it shows that you are a criminal, you too should be arrested and be prosecuted
temidayo adebayo
July 1, 2017 at 7:44 AM
This thing is very simple either he takes the case or not someone else will
Marcus Garvey ll
July 1, 2017 at 4:31 PM
And everyone deserves to have legal representation, regardless of the nature of the crime(s).
Marcus Garvey ll
July 1, 2017 at 4:30 PM
You are advocating mob justice and that sort of thing does not belong to civilized societies. The suspect seems to be worse than a python but he should be given a decent trial and, if found guilty, thrown to hungry crocodiles….*********
Martins Esohwode
July 1, 2017 at 7:32 AM
You cannot crucify the counsel for doing the needful. He is simply acting under the ambit of the law.picking up the defence should not subject him to negative media trial
Mimia
July 1, 2017 at 7:51 AM
law is blind.If our leader lead us well evans and his might be a graduate and get better job than this.
ISAAC
July 1, 2017 at 8:56 AM
U re correct’Evan is NT guilty of any crime so far we re in democracy he has is constitutional right or is Buhari or Kanu NT aware’for everybody information Evan was cut in his apartment.a victim can make a confession after been toture’let by no right condemned him what if it was a set up plans.did police arrested him wit guns or in de process of criminal activities.let us NT add sugar to moimoi bcos Nigeria journalist can say whatever they like.EVANS AS FAR AS IAM CONCERNS HE IS AN INNOCENT MAN TILL DE COURT OF LAW PROVE HIM GUITY WIT DE FAT OF HIM CRIME.NIGERIA MY COUNTRY NEVER KW LAW THAT WHY RE KWS AS CORRUPTION COUNTRY OVER THEY.MY LAWYER PLS GO WIT UR TEAM ND SUPPORT HIM’U CAN SUE DE IG ND WHOEVER DAT CLAIMS HE IS GUILTY INCLUDING ANY MEDIA HOUSE.TNK U ND GOD BLESS WHO EVER DAT READ THIS POST
Highsaac
July 1, 2017 at 10:07 AM
God cursed that your dirty mouth you this lawyer. Jesus have lay curse on lawyers he said woe unto them.woe unto you.hell with you.you are one if his gang in crime that’s why you come to defend this devil.so,you don’t want him to expose you,had it been he had kidnapped you once and collect huge hard earning money from you you won’t open that your dirty mouth talking my client.I plague your mouth incurable tumor before the case arraigned to court.you won’t prosper.omo ale Yoruba.onije iya.
Grace
July 1, 2017 at 10:09 AM
The only reason this lawyer is taking up this case is to make him popular. That’s all. Facts about the lawyer it says he always lost on this case.
My children cannot come to Lagos because of people like Evans and they are honouring standing for this type of criminal.
My question. Where will he have the money to pay this lawyer? All his blood money has been taken away by the police. I dont think hew has any money left apart from his houses. And even if he has the money will that lawyer collect blood money as his fees? Ok maybe after selling his blood stain houses.
mbok
July 1, 2017 at 10:59 AM
most Nigerians and still primitive and backward, any body has right to lawyer regardless of their the crime the commit, Fulani herds men are out there killing,raping vulnerable and innocent people, Boko harams are arrested and are released for no reasons
Brave Hunter
July 1, 2017 at 11:06 AM
Mr. BARRISTER, PLS answer Danti“s question fast.
I want to believe that it is very easy for you to take up this case because non of your family members had ever fallen victim to this devil of a man called evans, and that is why you are also saying what you are saying.
Another thing I see here is that your acceptance to take up this case and defend an already condemned criminal by public opinions like evans has some strong evidence of bribery undertune.
This singular action of yours is going to encourage a faster grooming of other aspiring bad gang leaders across the country and also build their hopes of a legal backing should they be caught anyday.
If this man should by any chance escape the blade of justice and set free because of your myopic reasoning and your stupid unprofitable involvement in his case to showcase your talent because of some cabals that might be sponsoring you to make things work in their favour, I want to assure you that you and the entire family pedigree, including your generations yet unborn will never escape the law of karmer.
I take a stroll…
Lola O
July 1, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Someone has to represent even the worst criminals of which Evans will go into the history books as one. Sir, just pray that Ogun, god of iron, will not drink your blood as your name indicates. Enjoy your blood money.
Lummy
July 1, 2017 at 1:57 PM
It is quite unfortunate people can throw caution to the wind and choose to ignore the warnings from their own conscience because of greed. This lawyer should be ashamed of himself;shameless greedy man
Jilo
July 1, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Barrister Ogungbeje, if you want to become popular, you don’t have to take up criminal case like this. If you think this is the only way to get your own chunk from Evans Billions, you may have to rethink and reevaluate your decision. This case has become international case where our action is being monitored by the international community.
When you are talking about the right of citizen to be charged of any offense within 48 hours or else he/she must be released back into the society if there is enough evidence. We are not talking about this case. This is aggaravated felony offense which carries minimum penalty of death.
Evans is a terror who has once escape from detention by bribing himself from unscrupulous police. Mr. lawyer, do you think you know this law than the westerners I mean the Oyinbo people. America was so liberal before until 9/11 now they have to put the law aside and started to protect their citizens. In Nigeria we don’t value our lives, we don’t care if 80% of Nigerians population die in the hands of one man. The interest of your nation should come first if you are not a fake lawyer. Femi Falana will never take up damnable case like this.
If you want to defend him you can go ahead but remember you children will share from your this blame even when you die. They will be pointing at them that those are children of a lawyer who represent the notorious terrorist/kidnapper and bail him out because of money. The harm you going to cause your children may be irreparable.
fifelomo
July 2, 2017 at 12:43 AM
He’s seeking for cheap popularity!
binta
July 3, 2017 at 11:24 AM
nonsense i dont blame him but our nigerian leaders,kidnapper is now a legal business in our country,and for this lawyer no doubt his part of the crime or his a money monger dnt forget evans will never expose all his properties my dear people evans na ibo man his mush have invested in different countries and bussinesses so dnt conclude that his brook.
effiong ekpo
July 5, 2017 at 8:25 AM
My brother, no be your fault, country hard and man must wack. Like I believe say you heard also, them say the guy na billionaire kidnapper. No carry last jare, make you defend am at least, with our judicial system, the court go dey adjourn the case for the next for 3-4 years and at every date, you too go dey kidnapped naira. Evans go pay jo.