Kehinde Fajobi
Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, the notorious convicted kidnap kingpin, has sought mercy from the Lagos State Government following his repentance.
Appearing before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday, Evans, through his lawyer Emefo Etudo, expressed regret for his criminal activities and revealed that he had applied for a plea bargain.
The charges against Evans include murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
The prosecution outlined that Evans and his accomplice, Joseph Emeka, were involved in the deaths of two individuals, Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi, on August 27, 2013, in FESTAC Town, Lagos.
Evans pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following the plea, the court heard that Evans had formally requested a plea bargain, which was acknowledged by the prosecution.
The state counsel, Sule Yusuf, confirmed the application, stating it would be reviewed by the relevant committee.
Etudo, in his address to the court, detailed his client’s transformation. “Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain we submitted to the state government,” he said.
“My client is now a repentant person. He was a young man consumed by crime, but he is now remorseful.
“He is currently a 200-level student at the National Open University and made A1 in all his NECO exams, thanks to a scholarship from the Federal Government.”
Etudo further revealed that Evans sought permission from the Lagos State Government to speak to young people in schools about the dangers of crime.
After hearing the plea, Justice Adenike Coker adjourned the matter to March 20, 2025, for possible trial.
Following the court session, Etudo praised Evans’ reformation, crediting the efforts of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the Federal Government for supporting his client’s change.
“He has been transformed. His reformation was made possible by the RCCG and the Federal Government,” he said.