Billionnaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwamadike a.k.a Evans, on Thursday urged the Lagos High Court Ikeja, to consider his application for plea bargain, forgiveness and clemency.

He spoke through his new lawyer, Chief Emefo Otudo, immediately after he was re-arraigned over a five-count charge of alleged murder and kidnapping, by the Lagos State Government.

In the charge filed before Justice Adenike Coker, Evans and one Joseph Nkenna Emeka pleaded not guilty to alleged kidnapping and murder.

According to Evans lawyer, Chief Etudo, the substance of Evans’ application for plea bargain, is with respect to three pending criminal cases on compassionate grounds.

He has earlier been convicted in two other cases with 14 years imprisonment and life jail respectively.

His lawyer told Justice Coker that have been converted to a reasonable human being and being a criminal to a teacher charged entirely Evans name should be graciously dropped from the three pending charges.

He submitted: “That a fresh charge be discretionally filed against the first defendant upon which he will plead guilty and serve 14 years imprisonment If approved.

“That the 14 years imprisonment that may be imposed in the new charge be made to run concurrently with other sentences that might have been given in his other cases listed above.

“Our authority for bringing this application is attached as Appendix 6 and this application supersedes and overrides any previous application made by or on behalf of Mr Onwuamadike for plea bargain.

Speaking further Cheif Otudo told the court that there are five criminal cases against Evans and Lagos state has been prosecuting him for those cases and have gained conviction in two.

He said during the cause of the prosecution Evans has been incarcerated for about eight years.

“While in prison, the Federal Government offered the first defendant and other inmates a second chance and offered them opportunity to to go to school.

“The first defendant (Evans) accepted offer to be educated as they were given scholarship by Federal Government. He has now earned an NCE teaching certificate in Economics.

“He is now a teacher and no longer a criminal. Copy of his NCE certificate and the project he did are attached as appendix 1 & 2.

“Mr Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike was also given admission in the National Open University of Nigeria under the scholarship granted by the Federal Government.

“He is now in 200 level in National Open University of Nigeria offering political Science. Copy of his admission letter is attached as appendix 3. And copy of his ID Card in National Open University of Nigeria is attached as appendix
4.

“Mr Onwuamadike has also learnt technology under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; to wit, welding and metal fabrication and passed all tests. Copy of the test by Ministry of Labour and Productivity is attached as appendix 5.

Justice Coker told both the Prosecuting lawyer, Mr A. Y. Sule and Chief Otudo representing both parties to wait till March 20, when decision of the committee set up by the Lagos State government on Evans’ application would have been released.

28 bodies pulled out, crash maybe US deadliest in 24yrs

At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C., officials said Thursday.

Crews were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.

Here’s the latest:

What caused the collision? There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision. Officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet coming from Wichita, Kansas, was making a routine landing when the helicopter flew into its path.

Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter during a training flight, an Army official said.
What’s known about the victims?

Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S.

Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

What’s the latest on the recovery efforts? The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water.

The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. Some 300 first responders were on scene as of early Thursday morning.

Indian couples in the United States are scheduling early C-section deliveries to ensure their children are born before February 20, 2025.

This rush follows an executive order by President Donald Trump that ends automatic citizenship for children born to non-citizen parents after February 19.

According to the Times of India, Trump issued the directive shortly after taking office. Under the new rule, babies born in the U.S. to non-citizens will no longer qualify for citizenship by birth.

Many Indian parents, especially those on temporary visas like H-1B and L1 or waiting for Green Cards, are trying to beat the deadline. Babies born before February 19 will still be granted U.S. citizenship, making early delivery a priority for many expectant parents.

Despite due dates being weeks away, reports indicate that several couples are contacting doctors to schedule early C-sections.

Dr. S.D. Rama, a gynecologist in New Jersey, said his clinic has seen a surge in C-section requests, including from women as early as seven months pregnant. One couple even requested delivery in February, though the baby was due in March.

A major reason for this rush is the long-term immigration benefits. Previously, U.S.-born children could sponsor their parents for Green Cards once they turned 21. For Indian nationals facing decades-long backlogs in visa processing, this was a crucial pathway to legal residency.

However, medical professionals are warning against premature deliveries. Texas-based obstetrician Dr. S.G. Mukkala highlighted the risks, including respiratory issues and neurological complications. Despite this, he has received about 20 requests for early deliveries in recent days.

For undocumented immigrants, the situation is even more critical. Without birthright citizenship, their children will have no claim to legal status, leaving many families uncertain about their future in the U.S.

As the February deadline approaches, Indian families across the country are making difficult decisions to secure a future for their children in America.