Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death for their roles in the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, was the court’s first ruling 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.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu said the law did not give him discretion in imposing the prescribed sentences.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish the law permitted 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 and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two to nine. He also received 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 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 expedite the prosecution of violent crimes in the state.
The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits.
Justice Momodu directed that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State CID for destruction within 30 days.