Convicted Billionaire Kidnapper, Evans Offers To Forfeit 14 New Trucks In Another Plea Bargain
Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, told Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafa Balewa Square on Thursday that he is now a teacher at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison after obtaining a Diploma in Economics from the Yewa College of Education and no longer a criminal.
According to Evans, he’s prepared to surrender all his propertyas part of a plea bargain agreement should the court consider his application for a plea bargain on compassionate grounds. This was contained in his application for a plea bargain.
As part of the proposed plea bargain arrangement, he pledged to forfeit his 14 brand-new trucks to the Lagos State Government for sale, with the proceeds to be transferred to the victims of his criminal activities.
This is the second time Evans has approached a court seeking a plea bargain for his involvement in the kidnapping.
On January 30, 2025, Evans approached another judge, Justice Adenike Coker, to ask for a plea bargain.
Evans had five criminal cases in various Lagos State High Courts. Two of the charges have already resulted in convictions, one of which carries a life sentence, while the other has a 14-year prison term.
Represented by his lawyer, Chief Etudo Emefo, Evansexpressed remorse for his actions in his application before Justice Sonaike, stating that he had undergone a transformation during his time in the Kirikiri correctional facility.
He claimed that the Federal Government of Nigeria gave him a scholarship while in prison. He pleaded with the Lagos State Government for mercy, explaining that without their forgiveness, the Federal Government’s scholarship would be useless.
Evans further argued that he would be unable to practice the new skills he acquired while incarcerated, which would amount to a waste of government resources.
According to the process filed before the court, the Federal Government offered Evans and other inmates the opportunity to further their education during his time in prison.
Evans took up this offer and was granted a scholarship. As a result, he earned a National Certificate in Education in Economics and is now a teacher, no longer identifying as a criminal. Copies of his NCE certificate and project work were submitted as appendices.
Additionally, Evans was offered admission to the National Open University of Nigeria under the Federal Government’s scholarship scheme.
He is currently in his second year of studying political science. His admission letter and student ID card were presented to the court as part of the application.
Evans also underwent training in welding and metal fabrication through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, successfully passing all relevant tests. A copy of the test results is included as an appendix.
When the case, which was fixed for trial, was called for trial, the prosecuting counsel, Alaba Kuku, told Justice Sonaike that the defendants have expressed interest in pursuing plea bargain agreements with the state government.
He confirmed that Evans’ counsel, Chief Etudo, had given him a copy of the application, which the state government is currently considering.
Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba and Linus Opara, are seeking plea bargain agreements with the Lagos State government.
The four men are standing trial in a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder before Justice Sonaike, who began the case afresh in January 2023, following the retirement of Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
Other counsel, Emeka Azubuike, representing the second defendant; Chinyere Udeh, representing the third defendant; and Emmanuel Ochai, who appeared for the fourth defendant, confirmed the development to the court.
However, the third defendant’s counsel said he had yet to submit his application for a plea bargain to the state government through the office of the Attorney General. Justice Sonaike adjourned the case until April 17, 2025, for a report on the applications for plea bargains.
