The Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City has sentenced four persons to death over their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, after finding the four defendants guilty on various counts in an 11-count charge bordering on 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 followed the broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market on June 14, 2026. The prosecution presented evidence linking the defendants to the incident and other related offences.
In his judgment, Justice Momodu said the applicable law prescribed the punishment for the offences and left him with no discretion to impose lesser sentences.
Isaac and Michael received death sentences on several counts, while Emete Michael and Raphael were also sentenced to death on specific counts. They additionally received various prison terms on other counts, including seven years’ imprisonment. Isaac was also sentenced to 10 years on one count and life imprisonment on another.
The court further ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial. The items were ordered to be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer for destruction within 30 days.
The judgment marked the maiden kidnapping verdict of the Edo State Special Criminal Court, which was established to handle kidnapping, cultism and other serious violent-crime cases and help speed up their prosecution.
The sentences remain subject to applicable judicial processes, including the defendants’ right of appeal.
