Key Points
- Evans claims he is now a reformed man.
- His lawyer says he is excelling in prison education.
- Prosecutors confirm his plea bargain request is under review.
Evans, the convicted kidnapping kingpin Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, told the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday that he has asked the Lagos State government for clemency after confessing to his crimes.
Evans pleads not guilty to new charges
Following his plea to an amended five-count charge of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping brought against him by the Lagos State government, Evans made the remark through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo.
State prosecutor Sule Yusuf asked for the defendants’ re-arraignment during the proceedings and told the court that the case was being restarted from scratch.
Evans’ co-defendant, C.N. Udeh, and Etudo did not raise any objections to the request.
According to the prosecution, Peter Nweke was killed by Evans and Joseph Emeka on August 27, 2013, at approximately 10 p.m., on 3rd Avenue in FESTAC Town, Lagos. On the same day, they are also charged with Chijioke Ngozi’s murder.
Yusuf asked the court to further remand the defendants after they entered their pleas. Additionally, he verified that both defendants had requested for plea deals via their respective legal representatives.
According to Punch, Evans had formally submitted for a plea agreement with the Lagos State government through the attorney general’s office, Etudo said Justice Adenike Coker, notwithstanding the new accusations.
“Our focus in this matter is the plea bargain we have submitted to the state government,” Etudo stated. “My client has changed since then. He is now repentant, but as a young guy, he was consumed by crime. He is currently enrolled in the National Open University at the 200-level.
Lawyer says Evans has reformed through education and faith
Evans, who received a federal government scholarship, excelled intellectually while incarcerated, according to Etudo, receiving A1 ratings on all of his NECO exams.
He said, “We have requested permission from the Lagos State government to have him visit schools and talk to youth about the dangers of crime.”
“My Lord, I can attest that Evans, the initial defendant, did, in fact, submit an application for a plea deal, and we were served with it. “We’ll be looking into it,” he stated. “The second defendant has also made a similar application.”
In anticipation of a potential trial, Justice Coker postponed the case until March 20, 2025.
Following the trials, Etudo informed reporters that the federal government and the Redeemed Christian Church of God had worked to significantly reform Evans.
His words, “My client is now a changed man,” “His transformation was made possible by the RCCG and the federal government, which provided him with a scholarship to study and become a better person.”Â
