Convicted Billionaire Kidnapper, Evans Begs For Forgiveness, Says “I Have Repented”
Convicted kidnapping kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, told a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday that he has repented of his criminal acts and applied for clemency from the Lagos State Government.
Evans stated this in court through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, after pleading to five counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to kidnap, all charged against him by the Lagos State Government.
State prosecution lawyer Sule Yusuf told the court that the case would be opened anew and prayed the court to arraign the defendants again. The lawyer and his co-defendant, C.N. Udeh, did not object to the request.
The prosecution alleged that Evans and Joseph Emeka killed one Peter Nweke on August 27, 2013, at about 10 p.m., at Festac Town 3, Lagos.
They were also accused of murdering 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 pleas, Sule asked the court to detain the defendants further. However, the first defendant (Evans) reported to the court that he had applied for a plea through Etudo and the second defendant had applied for a plea through his defense counsel.
Etudo told Justice Adenike Coker that despite the amended charges and his client’s plea, the defendant applied for a plea bargain with the Lagos State Government through the Attorney General’s office.
He said: “Our focus in this matter is the plea deal we submitted to the state government. ‘My client is now repentant. He was a young man who was addicted to crime, but now he is repentant. He is now a 200-level student at the National Open University of Nigeria. In fact, he got an A1 in NECO while he was in prison. This is all due to a scholarship given to him by the federal government. Your Excellency, we have requested the Lagos State Government to give Evans the opportunity to tour schools across the state and speak to young people about the dangers of crime.”
Sule confirmed Evans’ plea application and said the appropriate committee would consider it. He said: “Your Honor, I have confirmed that the first defendant (Evans) has filed a plea agreement and it has been served upon us. We will consider it; the second defendant has filed a similar application.”
Upon receipt of the attorney’s submission, Judge Coker adjourned the trial to March 20, 2025. At a press conference after the trial, Attorney Etude stated that his client has undergone a very remarkable rehabilitation due to the efforts of the Redemption Christian Church and the federal government.
He said: “My client has now changed. He has changed. It was the RCCG and the federal government that made his reformation possible by giving him scholarships and making him a better person.
