Trending 
An Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons to death for their roles in the abduction of a woman in Benin City. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday.
The four defendants were convicted on charges linked to kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and illegal possession of firearms. They are Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael.
The case involved the abduction of a woman at the popular Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City. The woman was reportedly at the market with her husband and children when gunmen abducted her.
Read More : Tinubu Ends Vacation, Heads to Lagos
The incident occurred on June 14, 2026, and the Edo State Police Command later confirmed it; Police investigations later led to the arrest of the four defendants.
Authorities also recovered a pump-action rifle, cartridges and other items linked to the case. The Special Criminal Court was established in July to handle kidnapping and cultism cases in Edo State.
In the judgment, the court imposed different sentences on the four defendants across the charges.
Isaac received seven years for the first count and death sentences on several other counts. He also received 10 years on another count and life imprisonment on the final count.
Michael received seven years on the first count and death sentences on counts two to nine. Rufus Emete Michael received seven years on the first count and death sentences on several other counts. Raphael also received seven years on the first count and death sentences on several other counts.
Read More : Tinubu Hosts Otedola at Private Paris Dinner
The court ordered the firearms and ammunition recovered from the defendants to be confiscated. The exhibits include a pump-action rifle, two unused cartridges and two spent cartridges.
The court directed that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Command’s State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction. The ruling follows the state government’s push for faster trials of kidnapping and cultism cases.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier backed the creation of the special court after the Vegetable Market abduction. The court’s decision marks a major legal milestone after months of investigation and trial.
