The father of the kidnap kingpin who was last Saturday arrested in Lagos, Mr. Stephen Onwuamadike, has cried out to Nigerian authorities to spare the life of his son, Chukwudumeme, a.k.a Evans, saying he was a good boy misled by his mother.

In an exclusive interview with News Express at his country home in Akammili village, Umudim, Nnewi in Anambra State, the 58 years old man said that since he got the news of his son’s arrest through a phone call, he has not been able to sleep for a second after reminiscing on how the once good son lost track of a decent life.

He described Chukwudumeme, who is a product of his failed first marriage as a good, loving son adding that he is suffering from spiritual manipulation as orchestrated by his estranged wife.

Onwuamadike, a thriving millionaire in the early 80s and a member of the popular People’s Club of Nigeria, lamented that he lost control of his son soon after his estranged wife ran away from home without any trail.

His words: “I was devastated when I heard the news through a telephone call and since then I have not been able to sleep. I believe in a straight forward and honest life and once I notice someone is not honest, I run away.

“When my business was thriving, I did business with white people and I was one of the early millionaires that emerged from this Nnewi, before things took a bad turn courtesy of my first wife in 1985. She caused me so many problems until she brought me down to where I am today; suffering and barely putting food on my table.

“I tried my best to train my son in the best possible way by sending him to the best schools around here but my estranged wife kept interfering. He dropped out in JS 3 and said he didn’t want to continue with education. After persuading him to return to school and he refused, I took him to one businessman here in Nnewi to learn trade but his mother went there and brought him out. Shortly after that, he became head strong and only listened to what his mother says. You won’t believe that my son Chukwudumeme has not visited home since 2008 till this day.

“The last time I saw him ten years ago, I wasn’t comfortable with his mannerisms so, I called him and asked; my son tell me the business you do, he said in their slang that he was into this drug thing.

“I was not happy with that response and I cautioned him to abstain from it, telling him drug business is an illicit business which is against the law of the land. I told him plainly that it is better to indulge in good business and wait for God to bless you than indulge in illicit business for quick money.

“I did good business and it thrived and I was very successful. I have travelled to so many countries of the world in the course of my business but my wife ruined me and ran away.

“After that meeting with my son, I have never set my eyes on him again or spoken with him. I don’t have his phone number, I don’t know where he leaves. His mother started manipulating him when he was only three years old; look at where it has gotten him. It’s only her that knows him in and out, his movements, contacts and all that but all I am pleading is for the authorities to have mercy on him and give him a second chance.

“He was misdirected and misled by her mother. I heard about all the millions and I said to myself…do I have such a rich son and the roof over my house are all leaking. This house you are seeing today was built more than 20 years ago, it is old and the roof needs repairs. I had 14 good cars when my business was thriving but I have sold all of them, including the air conditioners in the house, to help myself but it’s not been easy. Now, I am surviving through pig sale.”

The step brother of Chukwudumeme, Chidolie Onwuamadike, on his part, blamed his brother’s destruction on his mother, adding that his step brother never cared for anyone except his mother.

The depressed-looking Chidolie regretted his brother’s present situation, adding that if he had followed their father’s advice, he wouldn’t have fallen prey to such evil act.

He said: “His mother is the cause of my brother’s problem and it’s so sad. I have not seen him for so many years. As a brother we don’t even interact at all. I don’t have his number and my heart is pained because he is such a loving, nice guy from the little I know of him.”

Evans’ step mother, Mrs. Etty Onwuamadike, in tears pleaded with the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, a.k.a Living Faith, Bishop David Onyedepo, to come to their aid by pleading for the kidnap kingpin’s mercy.

“Chukwudumeme was a nice boy when he lived with me and the only gift I gave him years back was the Holy Bible. I believe that boy is a vessel of God. I am pleading with the authorities to please give him a second chance. He will turn out to be the Paul of our time to be used by God. He has aired but the authorities should give him a second chance. I don’t want my son to die. I am still convinced he will serve God,” she said.

A trip to the far distance country home of Chukwudi Onwuamadike showed an old palatial building that portrayed a family that lived in affluence years back.

A huge compound with a duplex building sitting in the middle adorned the compound while another building stood by the right hand side of the gate with bold inscription ‘S. N. Onwuamadike PALACE’.

According to Chukwudumeme’s father, the one storey building by the gate used to serve as a ware house where he packed the goods he was selling during the good old days of his business.

On getting close to the main house, any visitor coming in will be greeted by a bold sticker of Prophet TB Joshua, showing a family that has a strong belief in God as, according to the father, he doesn’t believe in any power other than God.

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