Tag: Evans

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has adjourned till April 17, 2025, for a report on the applications for plea bargain made by convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, in one of his pending trials.

His co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara, are also seeking plea bargain agreements with the Lagos state government.

The four men are standing trial in a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder before Justice Sonaike, who began the case afresh in January 2023, following the retirement of Justice Adedayo Akintoye.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday which was fixed for trial, prosecuting counsel, Alaba Kuku told the judge that the defendants have expressed interest in pursuing plea bargain agreements with the state government.

He confirmed that Evans’ counsel, Emefo Etudo, had given him an advance copy of the application which is currently before the state government for consideration.

Other counsel – Emeka Azubuike representing the 2nd defendant, Chinyere Udeh representing the 3rd defendant, and Emmanuel Ochai who appeared for the fourth defendant confirmed the development to the court.

But, the third defendant’s counsel, said he was yet to submit his application for plea bargain to the state government, through the office of the Attorney General of the state.

In an interview with Journalists, Evans’ counsel, Emefo Etudo, detailed Evans’ journey toward rehabilitation and his appeal for leniency.

He said: “The prosecution has acknowledged receipt of our plea bargain application, as well as those submitted by others,” Etudo stated. “Evans is remorseful and has demonstrated this through his plea bargain agreement. Embracing the federal government’s offer, he has undertaken educational programs within the maximum-security prison.”

Etudo highlighted that the federal government provided an opportunity akin to amnesty, offering to cover educational expenses for inmates willing to pursue studies. “Evans accepted this offer and has achieved a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), becoming a certified teacher.

“The Ministry of Labor and Productivity has recognized his efforts within the prison, and the federal government continues to sponsor his education at the National Open University, where he is currently in his second year. His ambition is to attain a Ph.D. while incarcerated.”

Read Also: Evans re-arraigned for killing two police officers, kidnap attempt

Addressing the necessity for state-level clemency, Etudo expressed concern that Evans’ educational achievements might be futile without forgiveness from the Lagos State government. “We are appealing for leniency,” he said. “Evans has fully submitted himself to Lagos State’s authority, consenting to any decisions they deem appropriate regarding his person and assets.”

In a gesture of restitution, Evans has voluntarily surrendered all his properties to the police for the benefit of his victims. “He has handed over approximately 11 brand-new trailers used for haulage,” Etudo detailed.

“The police have taken possession of these assets to liquidate them, transferring the proceeds to the Lagos State government to aid the victims. Restitution is crucial; one cannot seek a second chance while retaining wealth as victims continue to suffer.”

Etudo further disclosed that Evans relinquished significant sums of money, including 100 million naira, along with valuable items such as gold and diamonds.

“These assets are now with the police, who will liquidate them and transfer the funds to the state government,” he added.

Differentiating Evans’ plea bargain from others, Etudo emphasized his client’s genuine remorse and transformation.

“Initially, Evans and his former counsel were uncooperative,” he explained. “However, the federal government offered him a chance to reform, and he is the only individual in the entire prison system certified to have changed. He voluntarily surrendered all his assets, even those unknown to the authorities.”

Clarifying the specifics of the surrendered assets, Etudo mentioned: “While the police have confirmed possession of 11 trailers, the total number is 15. Evans has also transferred substantial amounts of money and jewellery to the police, relinquishing everything he owns.”

Regarding the educational scholarship, Etudo noted that although it was available to all inmates, Evans was the sole individual to fully embrace the opportunity.

“He is now a certified teacher,” Etudo remarked. “We urge Lagos State to grant him a second chance, enabling him to utilize his teaching skills to counsel other youths, guiding them away from unlawful paths and toward lawful living.”

For the second time, the trial of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans) was adjourned due to absence of defence counsel.

Evans was set for re-arraignment yesterday before Justice Adenine Coker.

When the case was called,   his counsel was not in court.

On October 10, the absence of his counsel stalled hearing of Evans plea bargain agreement.

Justice Coker asked the defendant where was his lawyer and why didn’t he inform his him about the case.

“I’m not sure if my lawyer is coming” Evan’s replied.

Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were to be re-arraigned before Justice Adenike Coker by the Lagos State government.

Read Also: Evans: Plea bargain stalled

The judge asked the counsel to the second defendant, Nelson Onyejaka why he didn’t inform his colleague about the case holding yesterday.

“My Lord I tried his number and it is not going, even this morning I tried his number and he is not based in Lagos,” Onyejaka said.

The State prosecutor, Yusuf Sule told the court that the matter for yesterday was meant to be for arraignment base on his plea bargain but regretted the absence of the first defendant counsel.

He consequently prayed the court for a further date and for the court to place an order to the first defendant counsel appearance.

“It has become a trend from the onset. From the beginning of the institution of this matter, the first defendant is the one that has been delaying this matter. It is high time he gets a lawyer in Lagos or brief another lawyer to stand in for him so the matter can go on,” he said.

Sule said that the matter is a 2017 case and also told the court that the defendant apply for a plea bargain which he doesn’t know if he is still interested to go on with it.

Justice Adenike Corker in her ruling adjourned the case to January 30, 2025 for re-arraignment.

The court also orders the first defendant to get his lawyer on the adjourned date.

The trial of convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans suffered a set back yesterday due to the absence of prosecution and Evans co- defendant, Joseph Emeka.

The defendant could not argue his plea bargain application.

Evans was scheduled  to argue his plea bargain application before Justice Adenike Coker yesterday.

But during resumed proceedings, the defense counsel, Mr Nelson Onyejaka informed the court about the absence of the defendant.

Onyejaka said he was surprised that the prosecution and the first defendant’s counsel were not present in court.

“I do not know whether they are aware that the case is coming up today”, the defence counsel told the court.

Read Also: Evans: Plea bargain stalled

Onyejaka however informed the court that the defendant was still going ahead with the plea bargain.

Owing to the development, Justice Coker ordered that production warrant be issued for re-arraignment and plea bargain outcome.

She adjourned hearing of the plea bargain till November 21.

Evans and his co-defendant were to be re-arraigned on an amended five counts of murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.

But the prosecution had on May 11 informed  the court  that  the defendants had opted for plea bargain agreement.

The plea bargain application filed by convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka was on Thursday, May 30, stalled due to the prosecution counsel’s request for adjournment.

At the resumption of proceedings before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square Annex (TBS) on Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, M O Olateju informed the court that the prosecution was waiting for a response from the plea bargain committee before proceeding with the hearing.

Evans and his co-defendant had opted for a plea bargain on the charge of conspiracy to kidnap, attempted murder preferred against them by Lagos state.

Read Also: Evans applies for plea bargain, says state counsel

Olateju said: “We shall be asking for a further date for the hearing of plea bargain by the first and second defendants.”

Counsel for the third defendant, A. C Enueshike, stated that her client was ready to proceed to trial.

“We have heard the submission of the Prosecution and we are ready to proceed for trial,” She said.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike thereafter, adjourned the case till October 17, 2024, for trial as well as a plea bargain for those that applied.

Evans, alongside Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Okapana Linus are charged with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and attempted murder, preferred against them by Lagos state.

The re-arraignment of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwamadike, a.k.a Evans, before an Ikeja High Court for a kidnap offence was stalled on Thursday, January 18, due to the absence of two other co-defendants.

Evans and three other accomplices, Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong, were brought before Justice Adenike Coker but their arraignment failed to hold.

While Evans and Emeka who are 1st and 2nd defendants, were present in court.

Arinze and Upong, who are 3rd and 4th defendants, were absent.

When asked by Justice Coker the whereabouts of the other accomplices, the state prosecution, Ms Titi Adeegbe could not provide any useful information on why they failed to appear before the court.

Adeegbe told the court that the third and fourth defendants were absent and that she had no information as to their current status.

Read Also: Alleged kidnapping: Lawyer’s absence stalls Evans’ re-arraignment

The defence counsel, representing Evans, Ms Mary Dibiaeze, reminded the court that the third defendant had died, while the fourth defendant was discharged from the case.

The counsel to the second defendant, Mr Nelson Onyejaka informed the court that they had not been served proof of evidence by the prosecution.

At this stage, Justice Coker instructed the prosecution to tidy up its house and ensure that the counsels were properly served.

She ordered that proof of service should be provided in court before the next adjourned date.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter until February 1 for arraignment.

It would be recalled that Evans had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Hakeem Oshodi sometime in February 2022.

Evans and his co-defendants were later sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by retired Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo before her retirement in 2022.