Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death over their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, marked the court’s first judgment in a kidnapping case since its establishment.
The defendants — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — were tried on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
Delivering judgment, Justice Momodu said he had no discretion to alter the prescribed penalties under the relevant laws.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish I have the law permit me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” the judge said.
Isaac was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine, 10 years’ imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.
Michael received seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death sentences by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine.
Emete Michael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
Raphael received seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight.
The case followed the broad-daylight abduction of a woman on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and accelerate the prosecution of violent crimes in the state.
Justice Momodu also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial.
The court directed that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for destruction within 30 days.
