I have repented, kidnap kingpin Evans tells court

Convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, on Thursday, told the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that he had repented from his criminal activities and had applied to the Lagos State Government for mercy.

Evans who told the court through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, stated this after taking his plea on the amended five counts bordering on murder, attempt to murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

When the matter was called, the state prosecuting counsel, Sule Yusuf, informed the court that the matter was starting de novo and prayed the court to re-arraign the defendants.

The counsel, and his co-defendant, C.N Udeh, did not object to the request.

The prosecution alleged that on or about August 27, 2013, at about 10 pm, along 3rd Avenue, FESTAC Town, in Lagos, Evans and Joseph Emeka killed one Peter Nweke.

They were also accused of allegedly killing one Chijioke Ngozi, on the same day.

Evans and his co-defendant, Emeka, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Following their not-guilty plea, Sule asked the court to further remand the defendants.

However, he informed the court that the first defendant (Evans) had applied for a plea bargain through Etudo, while the second defendant did the same through his counsel.

Etudo told Justice Adenike Coker that despite the amended charge and the plea of his client, he had applied to the Lagos State Government through the Attorney-General’s office for a plea bargain.

He said: “Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain which we have submitted to the state government.

“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 at the National Open University of Nigeria.

“In fact, he made A1 in all his papers in NECO while in prison. All this was made possible through a scholarship given to him 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.”

Sule confirmed Evans’ application for a plea bargain saying that the appropriate committee would consider it.

He said: “My lord, I can confirm that the 1st 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.

Following the submission of the lawyer, Justice Coker adjourned the matter to March 20, 2025, for possible trial.

Addressing journalists after the court proceeding, Etudo said his client had undergone a very remarkable reformation through the efforts of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the Federal Government.

He said: “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.”