Metro

Billionaire Kidnapper Evans Seeks Plea Bargain, Says He Now Teaches Prisoners

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has told the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafa Balewa Square, that he is now a teacher at the correctional centre in Kirikiri after obtaining a diploma in Economics from the Yewa College of Education, and that he is no longer a criminal.

Evans said he was prepared to surrender all his property, as part of a plea bargain agreement, should the court consider his application on compassionate grounds.

This was contained in his application for plea bargain.

He pledged to forfeit his 14 new trucks to the Lagos State Government for sale, with the proceeds to be transferred to the victims of his criminal activities, as part of the proposed plea bargain arrangement.

This is the second time Evans has approached a court seeking a plea bargain for his involvement in kidnapping.

On January 30, 2025, he approached Justice Adenike Coker of the Ikeja High Court to ask for a plea bargain.

Evans had five criminal cases across various high courts in Lagos State.

Two of these have already resulted in convictions, one of which carries a life sentence, while the other has a 21-year prison term.

Represented by his lawyer, Mr Etudo Emefo, Evans, in his application before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he had undergone transformation during his time in Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

He claimed that the Federal Government gave him a scholarship while in prison.

He pleaded with the Lagos State Government for mercy, explaining that without its forgiveness, the Federal Government’s scholarship would be rendered useless.

He furtherargued that he would be unable to practise the new skills he acquired while incarcerated, which would amount to a waste of government resources.

According to the process filed before the court, during his time in prison, the Federal Government offered Evans and other inmates the opportunity to further their education.

Evans took up this offer and was granted a scholarship.

As a result, he earned a National Certificate in Education in Economics and is now a teacher, no longer identifying as a criminal.

Copies of his NCE certificate and project work were submitted as appendices.

Additionally, Evans was offered admission to the National Open University of Nigeria under the Federal Government’s scholarship scheme.

He is currently in his second year, studying Political Science.

His admission letter and student ID card were presented to the court as part of the application.

Evans said he also underwent training in welding and metal fabrication through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, successfully passing all relevant tests.

A copy of the test results was included as an appendix.

When the case which was fixed for trial, came up on Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, Alaba kuku, told Justice Sherifat Sonaike that the defendants have expressed interests in pursuing plea bargain agreements with the state government.

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

Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba and Linus Opara, are seeking plea bargain agreements.

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.

Other counsel – Emeka Azubuike representing the second defendant, Chinyere Udeh representing the third 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.

Consequently Justice Sonaike adjourned the case till April, 17, 2025, for a report on the applications for plea bargain.

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

5 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.