Evans Turns a New Leaf: Kidnapper to Prison Educator

After earning a teaching diploma in economics from the Yewa College of Education, convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, told the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square that he is no longer a criminal and is currently employed as a teacher at the correctional facility in Kirikiri.

Evans stated that if the court were to examine his motion on compassionate grounds, he would be willing to give up all of his belongings as part of a plea deal.

His plea bargain application included this information.

As part of the planned plea deal, he promised to turn over his 14 brand-new trucks to the Lagos State Government for sale, with the revenues going to the victims of his illegal actions.

For the second time, Evans has gone to court to request a plea deal for his role in the kidnapping.

Evans went to Ikeja High Court Justice Adenike Coker on January 30, 2025, to request a plea deal.

Evans was involved in five criminal cases in Lagos State's high courts. Two of these have already been found guilty; one has been sentenced to life in prison, and the other has been sentenced to 14 years.

In his application before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, Evans, accompanied by his attorney, Mr. Etudo Emefo, apologized for his acts and claimed to have changed while incarcerated at Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

While incarcerated, he said, he received a scholarship from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He begged the Lagos State Government for forgiveness, stating that the Federal Government's scholarship would be worthless without it.

He further contended that it would be a waste of public funds because he would not be able to put the new abilities he learned while incarcerated into practice.

The process submitted to the court states that the Federal Government provided Evans and other prisoners with the chance to continue their education while they were incarcerated.

Evans accepted this offer and received a scholarship as a result. He consequently stopped identifying as a criminal and obtained a National Certificate in Education in Economics. He is currently a teacher. His project work and NCE certificate copies were included as appendices.

Evans was also given the opportunity to enroll in the Federal Government's scholarship program at the National Open University of Nigeria.

He is a second-year political science student at the moment. The court was supplied with his student ID card and admittance letter as part of the application.

According to Evans, he also completed welding and metal fabrication training from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity, passing all necessary exams. An appendix with a copy of the test findings was provided.

Prosecuting attorney Alaba Kuku informed Justice Sherifat Sonaike that the defendants had indicated interest in seeking plea bargain agreements with the state government when the matter, which was scheduled for trial, came up on Thursday.

He attested that an advance copy of the application, which is presently pending review by the state government, was provided to him by Evans' attorney, Etudo.

Evans is requesting plea deals from the Lagos State Government, as are his co-defendants Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara.

Justice Sonaike started the case anew in January 2023 when Justice Adedayo Akintoye retired, and the four men are currently on trial for five counts that touch on conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The court was informed of the development by additional attorneys, including Emmanuel Ochai, who attended on behalf of the fourth defendant, Emeka Azubuike, who represented the second defendant, and Chinyere Udeh, who represented the third defendant.

He attested that an advance copy of the application, which is presently pending review by the state government, was provided to him by Evans' attorney, Etudo.

Evans is requesting plea deals from the Lagos State Government, as are his co-defendants Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara.

Justice Sonaike started the case anew in January 2023 when Justice Adedayo Akintoye retired, and the four men are currently on trial for five counts that touch on conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The court was informed of the development by additional attorneys, including Emmanuel Ochai, who attended on behalf of the fourth defendant, Emeka Azubuike, who represented the second defendant, and Chinyere Udeh, who represented the third defendant.

But 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 of the state.

Consequently, Justice Sonaike adjourned the case till April 17, 2025, for a report on the applications for plea bargains.