The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death over the kidnap of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Aigbona Momodu on Tuesday, is the court’s first kidnapping verdict since it was established on July 1, 2026, to fast-track the trial of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
The 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 case followed the broad-daylight abduction of the woman on June 14, 2026.
Delivering judgment, Justice Momodu said the law prescribed the punishment for the offences and left the court with no discretion to impose lesser sentences.
“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.
Rufus Emete Michael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
The court ordered that the death sentence be carried out by hanging or lethal injection, stating: “You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.”
Isaac was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one, death on counts two to nine, 10 years’ imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.
Wisdom Michael received seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two to nine, while Raphael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death 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 firearms and ammunition be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.
The verdict comes against the backdrop of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning that his administration would take violent crime seriously.
Speaking when he inaugurated the special court, Okpebholo had warned persons involved in kidnapping and cultism to abandon criminal activities, stressing that convicted offenders would face the full weight of the law.
The governor had also said that where a competent court imposes the death penalty and all judicial processes are exhausted, he would perform his constitutional responsibility by signing the death warrant.
The latest judgment has therefore brought that position into focus, although the death sentences remain subject to applicable judicial processes, including any right of appeal and other legal procedures.
The state government established the Special Criminal Court to speed up the prosecution and determination of kidnapping, cultism and related violent-crime cases.
For residents, particularly youths, the judgment also highlights the legal consequences of involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent offences.
With the court’s maiden kidnapping verdict now delivered, the specialised judicial process in Edo has recorded its first major outcome since its establishment.
