Billionaire Kidnapper Evans has left Nigeria—and the world—gasping with a shocking announcement: Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, the infamous kidnap-for-ransom kingpin serving a life sentence, plans to pursue a PhD in Criminology while behind bars. The news, confirmed by prison authorities in 2025, has ignited fierce debates: Is this a genuine quest for redemption, a twisted power play, or a loophole to sway public sympathy? Here’s the explosive story behind Evans’ academic ambition and why it’s breaking the internet.

Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

Evans, once Nigeria’s most feared kidnapper (with a net worth of $60 million from ransom deals), is now swapping his notoriety for textbooks. According to prison insiders, he’s enrolled in a distance-learning program with a European university, focusing on “Criminal Psychology and Rehabilitation.”

Evans’ school program reportedly explores “The Socioeconomic Triggers of Kidnapping in Nigeria”—a topic that’s sparked outrage among victims’ families.

Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

Prison “Perks”: Critics argue Evans enjoys undue privileges, including laptop access and a private tutor, while serving time in Lagos’ Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.    Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

Quote from Evans: “Education is my path to atonement. I want to understand why I became what I did.”  Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

The news has polarized the nation:

“Even criminals deserve a second chance. Let’s see if he walks the talk.” – Human rights activist @ChiomaNwosu says.

“This is a scam. Evans is manipulating the system to reduce his sentence or gain parole.” – Crime analyst Emeka Okoro.

“How dare he study ‘causes of kidnapping’ while we still mourn?” – Anonymous relative of a 2017 victim.

Evans’ education pursuit has exposed glaring inequities in Nigeria’s prison system with Over 70% of Nigeria’s 75,000 inmates lack access to basic education, per Amnesty International.  Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

While Evans earns education, most prisoners fight for food and healthcare, the Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation into “special treatment” for high-profile inmates.

#PhDKidnapper trends with memes like, “Evans writing his thesis: ‘How to Kidnap a Nation.’”

foreign outlets like Forbes asks, “Can a Crime Boss Reform? The Evans Paradox.”

Meanwhile; Justice At Last Billionaire King of All Kidnappers, Evans Will Die by Hanging, See What Happened Next After His Execution Date Went Viral

Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, may get a life imprisonment or death penalty sentence.

This is because Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has signed the state kidnapping prohibition bill, 2016 into law.

The law prescribes life imprisonment or death penalty for the offence of kidnapping and forceful extortion in the state.

It applies to kidnappers whose victims die in their custody, and life imprisonment for the act of kidnapping.

The Lagos State House of Assembly passed the bill on January 5.

“This law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom.

Justice At Last Billionaire King of All Kidnappers, Evans Will Die by Hanging, See What Happened Next After His Execution Date Went Viral

“The law stipulates that, where a victim dies in the course of kidnapping, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.

“Security is of utmost importance to our administration, and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos State.

“Our justice system will be required to execute this law in absolute and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law,” Ambode said.

Justice At Last Billionaire King of All Kidnappers, Evans Will Die by Hanging, See What Happened Next After His Execution Date Went Viral

 

READ ALSO: Breaking: Billionaire Kidnapper Evans Returns To Court, Judge Sets Execution Date

Trial of kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, will resume on September 13, 2018, before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere.

“How Evans Built His Kidnap Empire” or “Nigeria’s Prison Crisis.”

The trial, which last held on June 26, 2018, had been put on hold as a result of the annual vacation of judges.

Evans is facing two separate charges bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder. Continue reading here