The convicted billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly called Evans has bagged National Certificate of Education (NCE),on completion of the course in prison and his ambition is to take up a PHD , while he also sought leniency
Penpushing reports that Evans’ counsel, Emefo Etudo made this known when the convict pleaded for bargain agreement filed by him at the Ikeja High Court on Thursday, a hearing was adjourned till March 20, 2025.
‘The Federal Government has given the first defendant a second chance by awarding him a scholarship. Evans bagged NCE, and his ambition is to take up a PHD. If Evans is given a second chance, he will not misuse it’, Etudo said.
Penpushing further reports that the counsel added that with his new certificate, Evans is now a qualified teacher, stressing that the primary concern is to pursue the plea bargain application with the Lagos State Government on behalf of the convict
The kidnapper, it is recalled was in February 2022, sentenced him to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Ikeja High Court for the kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limitedi.
Penpushing also reports in similar vein, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (now retired) in September 2022, sentenced Evans to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping a businessman, Slyvanus Ahamonu, and collecting $420,000 as ransom from his family.
The convict and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka are still standing trial in two other kidnapping cases, on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping and were re-arraigned before Justice Adenike Coker
Penpushing reports that the duo pleaded not guilty to all the counts, while state counsel, Yusuf Sule, informed the court that the case was starting de-novo, and equally prayed for further remand of the defendants.
The counsel who said he was not the real defence lawyer for the defendants informed the court that the defendants had applied for plea bargain through their counsel, explaining that he was asked to come and plea for a bargain application
“We are not really defence counsel. We were asked to come and plead for date. Our primary concern is to pursue the plea bargain application with the Lagos State Government on behalf of the defendants’, he said.
Penpushing reports that Evans’ counsel, Emefo Etudo, and his co-defendants’ counsel, Catherine Udeh, did not object to the remand application, while the prosecution responded that it was left for the committee on plea bargain to look into the application.
The judge acknowledged the receipt of Evans’ plea bargain application, pointing out that the defence counsel gave his client a good advice by seeking plea bargain over his outstanding cases, and thereafter, adjourned the case until March 20, 2025 for report on the plea bargain application.
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