By George Omagbemi Sylvester
BENIN CITY — September 29, 2026: The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons to death by hanging or lethal injection over their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case on Tuesday after the defendants were tried on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The convicts are Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The case arose from the June 14, 2026 broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the popular vegetable market. She was reportedly at the market with her husband and children when gunmen allegedly seized her. The incident was subsequently confirmed by the Edo State Police Command.
Under the judgment, Isaac received seven years imprisonment on one count, death sentences on counts two to nine, 10 years on another count and life imprisonment on the final count. Michael received seven years and death sentences on counts two to nine, while Emete Michael and Raphael also received death sentences on several counts alongside seven-year terms.
Justice Momodu said the prescribed law left the court with no discretion over the mandatory death sentences.
The court also ordered the confiscation and destruction of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits, directing that they be handed to the Edo State Police Armourer for destruction within 30 days.
The Special Criminal Court was established with effect from July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping, cultism and related violent-crime cases and expedite their prosecution.
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