Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four to death for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The convicts are Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael.
The judgment was delivered on Tuesday in the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case.
The convicts faced 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The case arose from the broad-daylight abduction of the woman on June 14, 2026.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court came into being on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and expedite the prosecution of violent crimes in the state.
The judgment marks a major proceeding for the court, which was established under the directive of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to expedite the prosecution of violent crime cases.