News
Billionaire kidnapper, Evans Re-Arraigned, Begs For Plea Bargain, clemency
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.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives is set to host the country’s first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, aimed at driving new laws, attracting investment, and pushing Nigeria further along its energy transition journey.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who described the event as a turning point for energy legislation in Nigeria.
He said: “The conference aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters.
“It’s about developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy”.
The conference, which is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will take place under the UNDP Parliamentary Development Program.
Rep. Ogene noted that recent legal reforms have created space for state governments to play a more active role in Nigeria’s power sector. He pointed to the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No.33), now signed into law, which allows states to legislate on electricity matters within the national grid. Before now, states could only act on off-grid power.
In addition, he highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023, which came into effect in February 2024.
“It permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities – generation, transmission and distribution across the entire power sector value chain,” he said.
The Committee Chairman further stated that the new National Integrated Electricity Policy, expected in 2025, will guide states in forming new electricity markets, where solar power and other renewable sources will be key to reaching underserved communities.
Ogene explained, “The conference has three clear objectives:
“To promote dialogue among legislators, experts and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities.
“To establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers, and to produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan.
“International partners are also on board. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will participate, and parliaments from South Africa, Ghana and Gambia have confirmed attendance. Ghana is sending a three-man delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin”.
In another major highlight, the Netherlands-based platform INCLUDE will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session on renewable energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The session will focus on how to establish a unified legislative framework on renewable energy development, investment and financing.
“The time has come for us to act. This is not just another conference – it is the foundation of Nigeria’s renewable energy future”, Ogene added.
Expected outcomes from the conference include new policy and legislative reform proposals to boost renewable energy use, as well as draft laws that will encourage public and private sector investment.
Other goals are to enhance collaboration between federal and state lawmakers, raise public awareness, and roll out a practical roadmap for implementation and progress tracking.
The event will also feature a technology showcase of renewable energy innovations and business opportunities.
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