In a dramatic turn of events, the lawyer for notorious kidnapping kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has made a passionate plea for mercy, insisting that his client has undergone a profound transformation and is now a repentant criminal. With Evans’ trial nearing its conclusion, his lawyer’s eleventh-hour appeal for leniency raises important questions about the possibility of redemption and the role of mercy in the criminal justice system. As the Lagos court prepares to render its verdict, Evans’ lawyer is counting on the judge’s compassion to spare his client from the maximum penalty, arguing that true justice can sometimes be served through second chances.

Chief Emefo Etufo, the lawyer representing alleged kidnapping kingpin Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, informed a Lagos High Court in Ikeja yesterday that his client has repented from his criminal activities and has requested mercy from the Lagos State government.

Etufo made this statement after Evans pleaded not guilty to an amended five-count charge that includes murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

In his address to the court, which was presided over by Justice Adenike Coker, Etufo mentioned that despite the amended charges and his client’s plea, he has submitted a request for a plea bargain to the Lagos State Government through the Attorney-General’s office.

He said: “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 at the National Open University. In fact, he made A1 in all his papers in NECO while in prison. All these were made possible through a scholarship given to him by the federal government.

“My lord, we have asked the Lagos State government to allow him to go around schools in the state to talk to youths about the dangers of crime.”

He informed the court that the purpose of the day’s proceedings was to arraign the defendant so that the matter could begin anew.

He stated, “My Lord, I can confirm that the first defendant, Evans, has indeed submitted a plea bargain application, which has been served to us. We will be reviewing it. The second defendant has also made a similar application.”

In response to the lawyer’s submission, Justice Coker adjourned the matter to March 20 for a possible trial.

Addressing journalists after the court session, Chief Etudo said his client has undergone a very remarkable reformation through the effort of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and the Federal Government.
He said: “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.”