Kidnap kingpin, Evans, secures FG scholarship, says he’s now changed man

Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, a convicted kidnap kingpin, has told the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that he has turned a new leaf and is seeking clemency from the Lagos State Government.

Speaking through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, on Thursday, Evans stated his commitment to rehabilitation after pleading to an amended five-count charge, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

During the hearing, state prosecutor Sule Yusuf informed the court that the case was starting afresh and requested a re-arraignment of the defendants. Evans’ counsel, along with the lawyer representing his co-defendant, C.N. Udeh, did not oppose the request.

The prosecution alleged that on August 27, 2013, around 10 p.m., along 3rd Avenue in FESTAC Town, Lagos, Evans and an accomplice, Joseph Emeka, killed one Peter Nweke.

They were also accused of murdering Chijioke Ngozi on the same day. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, Yusuf requested that they remain in custody, while also confirming that Evans had submitted a plea bargain request through his lawyer, as had his co-defendant.

Etudo informed the court of his client’s efforts to turn his life around, saying: “Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain which 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 of the National Open University.

“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.”

Confirming the plea bargain application, Yusuf stated that the appropriate committee would review it.
Justice Adenike Coker adjourned the case until March 20, 2025, for further proceedings.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Etudo highlighted Evans’ transformation, attributing it to the intervention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the Federal Government.

“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,” he said.