By Ade Oyeyemi
The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four people to death over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday in the court’s maiden kidnapping case, following an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The convicts were identified as Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The case stemmed from the June 14, 2026, broad-daylight abduction of a woman who was shopping with her husband and children at the popular market.
The woman was reportedly whisked away by gunmen who arrived at the scene in an SUV. She was later released unharmed, while police investigations led to the arrest of the four defendants and the recovery of items allegedly connected to the crime.
During the trial, the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including a pump-action firearm, ammunition and other items. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
In the judgment, the court imposed varying sentences on the defendants, including death sentences on several counts. The sentences covered offences connected to kidnapping, conspiracy and other criminal charges.
The court also ordered that the recovered pump-action firearm and the expended and unexpended cartridges be confiscated and handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction.
The judgment followed months of proceedings in the special court, which was established after Governor Monday Okpebholo directed the judiciary to accelerate the trial of kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.
The prosecution had earlier closed its case after calling seven witnesses, including alleged victims and investigating police officers. Evidence presented before the court included a Lexus SUV allegedly used in the kidnapping and a voice note involving one of the defendants.
The verdict represents the first judgment delivered by the Edo State Special Criminal Court in a kidnapping case since its establishment.
