Alleged kidnapping kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has repented from his criminal past and is seeking mercy from the Lagos State Government, his lawyer told the court on Thursday.
Chief Emefo Etudo, Evans’ legal counsel, made the appeal before Justice Adenike Coker at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, where his client was arraigned on an amended five-count charge of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Despite pleading not guilty to the fresh charges, Evans has applied for a plea bargain through the Lagos State Attorney-General’s office, his lawyer revealed.
Chief Etudo told the court, “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.”
Etudo emphasized Evans’ transformation, noting that the former kidnap kingpin has turned to education and self-improvement while in prison.
The lawyer said, “Presently, he is a 200-level student at the National Open University. In fact, he made A1 in all his NECO papers while in prison. All these were made possible through a Federal Government scholarship.”
Etudo further pleaded with the court to allow Evans to use his experiences to educate young people about the dangers of crime.
“We have asked the Lagos State Government to give him the opportunity to go around schools in the state and speak to youths about the consequences of crime,” he added.
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The State Prosecutor, Y. A. Sule confirmed receiving Evans’ application for a plea bargain, saying the government would review it.
Sule told the court, “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.”
He also revealed that the second defendant in the case has made a similar request for a plea bargain.
Following these submissions, Justice Adenike Coker adjourned the case to March 20 for a possible trial.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Chief Etudo stressed that his client has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the efforts of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the Federal Government.
Etudo stated, “My client is now a changed man. He has been transformed. His reformation was made possible by the RCCG and the Federal Government, which provided him with a scholarship to study and become a better person.”
Evans, once feared as Nigeria’s most notorious kidnapper, was arrested in 2017 and has been standing trial for multiple kidnappings, extortion, and violent crimes.
With his plea for mercy now before the Lagos State Government, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see if the authorities grant his request or proceed with his prosecution.