Lawyer withdraws from child defilement case after client admits guilt
Lawyer Francis Paul Chukwuma has shared why he withdrew from defending a client accused of child defilement after concluding that the man had misled him about his innocence. He recounted the experience in a Facebook post, explaining that the incident shaped his personal approach to handling rape and sexual offence cases.
According to Chukwuma, a young man approached him insisting that he had been falsely accused of defiling a child. The client repeatedly swore he was innocent and claimed he had been wrongly accused. Chukwuma wrote, “I once erroneously agreed to defend a young man accused of defiling a child. He swore by everything that he didn't do it and that he was wrongly accused.”
Investigation reveals truth
Although parts of the man's account “didn't really add up,” Chukwuma accepted the brief on the condition that he would first carry out his own investigation. After conducting his investigation and listening to the testimony of the child's mother, he became convinced that the allegation against his client was true. He confronted the client, who allegedly admitted to the offence after initially maintaining his innocence. “He fell on his knees and admitted that he actually did it and it was the work of the devil,” the lawyer claimed.
Chukwuma said he was deeply troubled by the admission and decided he could no longer continue representing the defendant. On the next adjourned date, he informed the trial judge that he was withdrawing his appearance from the case. The client pleaded with him to reconsider, and the man's sister and brother also appealed to him to remain on the case. Chukwuma further alleged that the client's brother, whom he identified as a lieutenant colonel in the Nigerian Navy, called and threatened him over his decision. The lawyer remained firm, giving the family an ultimatum to collect their case file or risk having it destroyed. When the family demanded a refund of the legal fees they had paid, he refused and told them they were free to take legal action against him.
Personal stance on sexual offences
Explaining his position, Chukwuma acknowledged the legal principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and is entitled to legal representation. However, he said he personally draws the line at representing people accused of rape or child defilement if he becomes convinced they committed the offence. “In as much as all accused persons are innocent until proven guilty, there are offences that I cannot in my good conscience knowingly defend just because everyone is entitled to a lawyer. Rape and defilement is one of them. If I confirm that you actually did it, no matter the amount you offer me, I'll not do that case,” he wrote.
The lawyer added that although he has represented people accused of murder and other crimes, he cannot bring himself to defend clients whom he believes committed sexual offences. He also expressed disappointment over seeing a female colleague represent a married man accused of defiling a child, saying the experience reinforced his personal convictions.
Chukwuma did not disclose the identity of the accused, the alleged victim or when the case occurred. His account has not been independently verified, and he did not provide court documents or other evidence relating to the matter.
