The Lagos State government yesterday refused to admit before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square if it is considering entering into a plea bargain arrangement with convicted kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwamadike, popularly known as Evans.
Through his lawyer, Emefo Etudo, Evans told the trial judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, that he was willing to surrender all his assets as part of a plea bargain if the court considered his application on compassionate grounds.
The state prosecutor, Alaba Kuku, only acknowledged the receipt of a plea bargain request from the convict but declined to state whether the government is considering it.
Evans and his co-defendants, Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba, and Linus Opara, are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
When the case was called on Thursday, Kuku informed the court that he had been told that Evans’ lawyer, Etudo, had applied for a plea bargain arrangement with the Prosecution, but he was ready to go on with the trial.
Also, counsel to other defendants confirmed their clients’ intentions to seek plea deals from the prosecution.
As part of his plea bargain request, Evans has offered to surrender his 14 brand-new trucks for sale and that the proceeds should be given to the victims of his criminal acts.
The convict said he is also prepared to relinquish all his other properties as part of the agreement should the court consider his request on compassionate grounds.
This marks the second time Evans has sought a plea bargain concerning his kidnapping charges. His first request was made before Justice Ibironke Coker at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
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