Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has made a desperate plea for clemency before the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, offering to surrender all his assets in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Evans, who once struck fear into the hearts of Nigerians with his high-profile abductions, told the court that he had undergone a complete transformation while incarcerated at Kirikiri Maximum Prison. As part of his plea bargain proposal, he pledged to forfeit 14 brand-new trucks to the Lagos State Government, with the proceeds directed towards compensating his victims.
In an emotional appeal, Evans revealed that he had reinvented himself within prison walls, earning a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics from Yewa College of Education. According to documents submitted to the court, the Federal Government granted him a scholarship while in custody, allowing him to further his education.
Now serving as a teacher at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Evans insisted that he was no longer a criminal and was ready to contribute positively to society. His lawyer, Mr. Etudo Emefo, urged Justice Sherifat Sonaike to consider his client’s reformation and plea for mercy.
Beyond his NCE qualification, Evans disclosed that he had secured admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) under the same Federal Government scholarship and was currently in his second year studying Political Science. His admission letter and student ID card were submitted as evidence of his commitment to change.
Additionally, he claimed to have trained in welding and metal fabrication through a program facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, passing all required competency tests. His training certificates and test results were included in the court filings.
Expressing remorse for his past crimes, Evans acknowledged the devastation he caused his victims and their families. He pleaded with the Lagos State Government to grant him a second chance, arguing that without their forgiveness, his newfound education and vocational skills would be wasted.
“If I am not granted mercy, the scholarship awarded to me by the Federal Government will be useless. The efforts put into my rehabilitation will be in vain,” he stated.
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel Alaba Kuku confirmed that Evans’ legal team had initiated discussions on a plea bargain agreement with the Lagos State Government. He noted that he had received an advance copy of the application, which was now under state review.
The case, which was scheduled for trial, is now on hold pending the government’s response to Evans’ plea for leniency. Whether the Lagos State Government will entertain the proposal or insist on making an example of the once-feared kidnap kingpin remains to be seen.
PIONEER NEWS 