Evans Seeks Leniency, Says He Has Reformed and Now Teaches in Prison
Convicted kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has once again appealed for a plea bargain, claiming that he has reformed and is now a teacher at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre.
Evans made this request before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, stating that he has obtained a teaching diploma in Economics from the Yewa College of Education.
As part of his plea, he expressed willingness to surrender all his assets, including 14 brand-new trucks, to be sold for the benefit of his victims.
This marks the second time Evans has sought a plea bargain on compassionate grounds. His first attempt was made on January 30, 2025, before Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.
Evans has five separate criminal cases across Lagos State, with two resulting in convictions—one carrying a life sentence and the other 21 years in prison.
During Thursday’s proceedings, his lawyer, Etudo Emefo, argued that the convicted kidnapper has shown genuine remorse and has transformed while in custody.
He urged the Lagos State Government to consider Evans’ plea, emphasizing that without mercy, the Federal Government’s scholarship granted to him would be useless.
According to Emefo, Evans has earned a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and is currently teaching fellow inmates.
Copies of his certificate and project work were submitted as appendices to the plea bargain application.
The prosecuting counsel, Alaba Kuku, confirmed that the Lagos State Government had received the application and formed a committee to review it.
Additionally, Evans’ co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara, have also applied for a plea bargain, though the third defendant’s lawyer has yet to submit his application.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike has adjourned the case to April 17, 2025, for a report on the plea bargain application or continuation of the trial if the plea is rejected.