The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, marked the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case since it was established to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism-related offences in the state.

Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death for their roles in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.

The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, marked the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case since it was established to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism-related offences in the state.

Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death for their roles in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.

The convicts; Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael; were prosecuted on an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, marked the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case since it was established to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism-related offences in the state.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu said the prescribed punishments under the law left him with no discretion over the sentences. 

“My hands are tied under the law. I wish I have the law permit 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 in prison on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine. He also received a 10-year prison sentence on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.

Michael received seven years in prison on count one and death sentences on counts two to nine. Emete Michael was sentenced to seven years on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six and seven.

Raphael was sentenced to seven years in prison on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.

The case followed the broad-daylight abduction of a woman on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City. 

The prosecution brought the charges against the four men over their alleged involvement in the incident and other related offences.

The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and speed up the prosecution of violent crimes in the state.

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 exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.

The judgment makes the case the first kidnapping matter to receive a verdict from the newly established Edo State Special Criminal Court. 

Source; https://saharareporters.com/2026/09/29/edo-state-special-court-sentences-four-men-death-kidnapping