The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has constituted a special court to handle cases bordering on cultism and kidnapping in the state.
The establishment of the court was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, dated June 25, 2026, and titled: “Establishment and Composition of a Special Criminal Court for Edo State sitting in Benin City.”
According to Osawaru, the newly established court, to be known as “Special Criminal Court 1”, will commence sitting on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
He stated that the creation of the court followed a request by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the constitution of a special court dedicated to offences relating to cultism and kidnapping.
Osawaru said, “Pursuant to the request by His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the constitution of a Special Court for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping, an additional court to be known as ‘Special Criminal Court 1’ is hereby established with effect from Wednesday, the 1st day of July, 2026, for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping and such other matters as may be assigned to the court by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State.”
The development followed the governor’s announcement on June 18, 2026, during the parade of arrested suspected kidnappers and other criminal suspects by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, where he vowed to establish a special court to fast-track the prosecution of cultism and kidnapping cases.
In line with the move, Governor Okpebholo, through a letter dated June 19, 2026, requested the Chief Judge of the state to constitute the special court.
The letter, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, and referenced SGA.710/T/40, was titled: “Request for the constitution of a special court for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping.”
The letter which was received by the office of the Chief Judge on June 19, 2026, stated that the request was driven by the governor’s commitment to tackling and eradicating cultism and kidnapping in the state, while strengthening the administration of criminal justice.
The SSG also requested that the Chief Judge nominates three judges or any number he considered appropriate to constitute the Special Court.
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