…Woman among convicts over Benin daylight abduction
The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons, including a woman, to death for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Aigbona Momodu on Tuesday, marked the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case since its establishment to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
The four convicts — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — were prosecuted on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The charges followed the broad-daylight abduction of the victim at the Vegetable Market on June 14, 2026.
Delivering judgment, Justice Momodu said the court had no discretion to impose lesser sentences where the law prescribed death for the offences.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish the law permitted me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” the judge said.
Isaac was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine, 10 years imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.
Michael was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine.
Emete Michael received seven years imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
Raphael was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight.
The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial.
Justice Momodu directed that the firearm and cartridges be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for destruction within 30 days.
The judge declared: “May the Lord have mercy on you,” after imposing the death sentences on each of the convicts.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and accelerate the prosecution of violent crimes in the state.
The judgment represents the court’s first reported kidnapping conviction since its establishment.
