Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons to death over the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the court’s maiden judgment since it was established to handle kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.
The four defendants — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — were convicted 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 a woman at the vegetable market on June 14, 2026.
Isaac and Michael were sentenced to death on counts two to nine, while Emete Michael received death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven. Raphael was sentenced to death on counts two, four, six and eight.
The defendants also received prison sentences on other counts. Isaac was handed seven years on count one, 10 years on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11. The other three defendants received seven-year terms on count one.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu said the law did not give him discretion over the prescribed punishment.
“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 court also ordered the confiscation of a pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits. The items are to be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer for destruction within 30 days.
TEdo State Special Criminal Court was established in 2026 to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping, cultism and other violent-crime cases in the state.
