The Ikeja High Court delayed hearings till March 20 to consider a plea bargain proposal submitted by infamous convicted kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, according to a report by *Premium Times*. Following the re-arraignment of Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, on an upgraded five-count charge that included heinous crimes like murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to conduct kidnapping, the case was adjourned. To every charge against them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
During the court session, State Counsel Yusuf Sule informed the presiding judge that the case was being restarted *de novo* (from the beginning) and requested that the defendants remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. Sule also disclosed that both Evans and Emeka had submitted applications for a plea bargain through their respective legal representatives, signaling their willingness to negotiate a lesser sentence in exchange for cooperation or other considerations.
Evans’ defense counsel, Emefo Etudo, took the opportunity to highlight his client’s efforts toward rehabilitation during his time in prison. Etudo revealed that Evans had taken advantage of educational programs offered by the Federal Government, successfully earning a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics. This achievement, he noted, had qualified Evans as a certified teacher. Additionally, Etudo shared that Evans is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where he is enrolled as a 200-level student. Beyond academics, Evans has also acquired vocational skills in welding and metal fabrication through training programs facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. Etudo emphasized that his client is deeply remorseful for his past actions and is seeking leniency through the plea bargain application, hoping for a second chance to contribute positively to society.
Justice Adenike Coker, the presiding judge, acknowledged the receipt of the plea bargain application and commended the defense counsel for providing appropriate legal guidance to their client. She subsequently adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, to allow time for the review of the plea bargain application and to receive a detailed report on its merits.
Evans, who has gained notoriety for his involvement in high-profile kidnapping cases, has previously been convicted in other trials. In February 2022, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Later, in September 2022, he received an additional 21-year prison sentence for the abduction of businessman Sylvanus Ahamonu, during which he extorted a ransom of $420,000 from the victim’s family.
The upcoming hearing on March 20 will be a critical moment in Evans’ legal journey, as it will determine whether the court will grant his plea bargain application and consider his rehabilitation efforts as grounds for leniency. The decision will not only impact Evans’ future but also set a precedent for how Nigerian courts handle cases involving plea bargains and claims of rehabilitation by convicted criminals.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
