Convicted kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, told the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that he has repented from his criminal past.
Evans, who is currently facing charges related to murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, has applied to the Lagos State Government for mercy.
During the court session on Thursday, Evans spoke through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, after taking his plea on an amended five-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
The prosecution, represented by counsel Sule Yusuf, informed the court that the case was starting afresh and requested that the defendants be re-arraigned. There was no objection from Evans’ lawyer or the counsel representing his co-defendant, C.N. Udeh.
The state accused Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, of killing two individuals, Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi, on August 27, 2013, at about 10 p.m. in FESTAC Town, Lagos. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following this, the prosecution asked the court to keep the defendants in custody while the case continues.
Evans’ lawyer informed the court that his client had applied for a plea bargain through the Attorney General’s office. He also stated that Evans had undergone significant personal transformation while in prison.
“Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain which we have submitted to the state government,” Etudo said. “My client is now a repentant person. He was a young man consumed by crime, but he is now remorseful. Presently, he is a 200-level student of the National Open University.”
Etudo further explained that Evans excelled in his National Examination Council (NECO) exams, achieving top grades in all subjects. He attributed this academic success to a scholarship awarded to Evans by the Federal Government.
“My Lord, we have asked the Lagos State Government to give him the opportunity to go around schools in the state to talk to youths about the dangers of crime,” Etudo added.
Confirming the plea bargain request, the prosecutor, Sule Yusuf, stated that a committee would review Evans’ application.
“My Lord, I can confirm that the first defendant (Evans) has indeed applied for a plea bargain, and it was served on us. We shall be examining it. The second defendant has also made a similar application,” he said.
Justice Adenike Coker adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, for a possible trial.
After the hearing, Evans’ lawyer spoke to journalists, stating that his client had experienced a transformation through the help of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the Federal Government.
“My client is now a changed man. He has been transformed. His reformation was made possible by the RCCG and the Federal Government, which gave him a scholarship to study and become a better person,” Etudo said.
