AfriqueCAN
FOUR men have been sentenced to death for kidnapping a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.
Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael were sentenced on Tuesday by Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court.
They were tried on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish I had 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,” Justice Momodu said while delivering the judgment.
The judge sentenced Isaac 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 was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine.
Emete Michael received seven years imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
Raphael was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.
The case arose from 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 came into being on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and expedite 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 in the case.
The court directed that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State CID for destruction within 30 days.
