Convicted Kidnap Kingpin Evans Seeks Plea Bargain and Clemency After Re-Arraignment

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, known as Evans, the convicted billionaire kidnapper, has applied for a plea bargain and clemency before the Lagos High Court in Ikeja. This application follows his re-arraignment on five counts of kidnapping and murder, filed by the Lagos State Government....CONTINUE READING>>>

Evans, alongside his co-defendant Joseph Nkenna Emeka, pleaded not guilty to the charges when presented before Justice Adenike Coker.

Evans’ new lawyer, Chief Emefo Etudo, informed the court that the plea bargain request pertains to three pending criminal cases and two additional charges based on compassionate grounds. Etudo also noted that Evans had already been convicted in two prior cases.

Arguing for leniency, Etudo suggested that Evans had undergone significant transformation while incarcerated. He proposed that a fresh charge be filed, to which Evans would plead guilty, in exchange for a 14-year prison sentence, which would run concurrently with the sentences from his previous convictions.

Etudo also highlighted Evans’ efforts toward rehabilitation, revealing that Evans had spent eight years in prison, during which he took advantage of educational opportunities offered by the Federal Government. He has obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics, and is currently a 200-level Political Science student at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Additionally, Evans has acquired vocational skills in welding and metal fabrication through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

Supporting documents, including his NCE certificate, NOUN admission letter, and vocational training certificates, were submitted as evidence to strengthen his case.

The prosecution, represented by Mr. A. Y. Sule, did not immediately respond to the plea bargain request. Justice Coker adjourned the case to March 20, pending a decision from a Lagos State Government committee reviewing Evans’ application.