Segun Atanda/
Billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has urged the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, to consider his application for a plea bargain and clemency.
His new lawyer, Chief Emefo Etudo, informed the court about the application immediately after Evans was re-arraigned on a five-count charge of murder and kidnapping filed by the Lagos State Government.
During the proceedings before Justice Adenike Coker, Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Nkenna Emeka, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Etudo explained that Evans’ plea bargain application concerns three pending criminal cases and two others on compassionate grounds. He noted that Evans had already been convicted in two other cases.
Arguing for clemency, Etudo stated that his client had transformed into a responsible individual, engaging in education and vocational training while in prison. He submitted that:
- A fresh charge should be filed against Evans, to which he would plead guilty in exchange for a 14-year sentence.
- The 14-year sentence should run concurrently with any other sentences already imposed.
- This application supersedes any previous plea bargain requests made by or on behalf of Evans.
Etudo further told the court that Evans has been incarcerated for about eight years while facing multiple prosecutions by the Lagos State Government, which has already secured two convictions against him.
He emphasized that while in prison, Evans took advantage of rehabilitation programs offered by the Federal Government, including:
- Earning a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics.
- Enrolling in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where he is currently in 200 level studying Political Science.
- Completing training in welding and metal fabrication under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
Supporting documents, including his NCE certificate, university admission letter, and vocational training results, were submitted as exhibits.
Justice Coker directed both the prosecution, led by Mr. A. Y. Sule, and the defense to await the Lagos State Government’s committee decision on Evans’ application, which is expected by March 20.
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