Why I choose to defend Evans in court – Ogungbeje

…Says he consulted widely before taking up the case

Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje who is defending suspected kidnapper Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans has explained why he chose to take up the case despite negative public perceptions.

Ogungbeje who spoke with The Sun accused a section of the media, as well as many Nigerians of being ignorant of the law.

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.

“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,Ogungbeje said.

TheNewsGuru.com reports that the billionaire kingpin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday, June 10 while preparing to travel out of the country. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and led by ACP Abba Kyari.