By Onozure Dania
Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has told the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, that he is now a teacher at the correctional centre in Kirikiri after obtaining a teaching diploma in economics from the Yewa College of Education, and is no longer a criminal.
Evans said he was prepared to surrender all his property, as part of a plea bargain agreement, should the court consider his application on compassionate grounds.
This was contained in his application for a plea bargain.
He pledged to forfeit his 14 brand new trucks to the Lagos State Government for sale, with the proceeds to be transferred to the victims of his criminal activities, as part of the proposed plea bargain arrangement.
This is the second time Evans has approached a court seeking a plea bargain for his involvement in the kidnapping.
On January 30, 2025, Evans approached Justice Adenike Coker of the Ikeja High Court to ask for a plea bargain.
Evans had five criminal cases across various high courts in Lagos State. Two of these have already resulted in convictions, one of which carries a life sentence, while the other has a 14-year prison term.
Represented by his lawyer, Mr Etudo Emefo, Evans, in his application before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he had undergone a transformation during his time in Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
He claimed that the Federal Government of Nigeria gave him a scholarship while in prison.
He pleaded with the Lagos State Government for mercy, explaining that without their forgiveness, the Federal Government’s scholarship would be rendered useless.
Furthermore, he argued that he would be unable to practise the new skills he acquired while incarcerated, which would amount to a waste of government resources.
According to the process filed before the court, during his time in prison, the Federal Government offered Evans and other inmates the opportunity to further their education.
Evans took up this offer and was granted a scholarship. As a result, he earned a National Certificate in Education in Economics and is now a teacher, no longer identifying as a criminal. Copies of his NCE certificate and project work were submitted as appendices.
Additionally, Evans was offered admission to the National Open University of Nigeria under the Federal Government’s scholarship scheme.
He is currently in his second year, studying Political Science. His admission letter and student ID card were presented to the court as part of the application.
Evans said he also underwent training in welding and metal fabrication through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, successfully passing all relevant tests. A copy of the test results was included as an appendix.
When the case which was fixed for trial, came up on Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, Alaba Kuku, told Justice Sherifat Sonaike that the defendants had expressed interest in pursuing plea bargain agreements with the state government.
He confirmed that Evans’ counsel, Etudo, had given him an advance copy of the application which is currently before the state government for consideration.
Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba and Linus Opara, are seeking plea bargain agreements with the Lagos State Government.
The four men are standing trial on five counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder before Justice Sonaike who began the case afresh in January 2023, following the retirement of Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
Other counsel – Emeka Azubuike representing the second defendant, Chinyere Udeh, representing the third defendant, and Emmanuel Ochai, who appeared for the fourth defendant, confirmed the development to the court.
But the third defendant’s counsel said he had yet to submit his application for a plea bargain to the state government, through the office of the Attorney General of the state.
Consequently, Justice Sonaike adjourned the case till April 17, 2025, for a report on the applications for plea bargains.
