Convicted kidnap kingpin Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, told the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday that he had repented of his criminal acts and had petitioned the Lagos State Government for mercy.
Evans declared this in court through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, after entering his plea to the modified five counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping filed against him by the Lagos State Government.
When the case was called, the state prosecutor, Sule Yusuf, informed the court that it was starting over and asked the court to re-arraign the accused.
The counsel and his co-defendant, C.N. Udeh, made no objections to the request.
The prosecution claimed that on or about August 27, 2013, at around 10 p.m., Evans and Joseph Emeka killed Peter Nweke on 3rd Avenue in FESTAC Town, Lagos.
They were also accused of killing Chijioke Ngozi on the same day.
Evans and Emeka pleaded not guilty to the accusations levelled against them.
Sule urged the court to further remand the defendants after they pleaded not guilty.
However, he informed the court that the first defendant (Evans) had requested a plea deal through Etudo, whereas the second defendant did so through his counsel.
Etudo informed Justice Adenike Coker that, notwithstanding his client’s altered charge and plea, he had requested a plea bargain with the Lagos State Government through the Attorney General’s office.
He said, “Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain that 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 lawyer’s submission, Justice Coker adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, for a possible trial.
Addressing journalists following the court proceedings, Etudo stated that his client had experienced a tremendous reformation thanks to the efforts of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) 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.”
