Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City has sentenced four men to death on multiple counts for the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday in the court’s maiden ruling on a kidnapping case.
The four convicts, 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. The court found them guilty on all counts after considering evidence presented by the prosecution.
Justice Momodu said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants conspired to abduct the victim and demanded ransom while armed with illegal weapons. He noted that kidnapping has become a serious threat to public safety in Edo State and must be met with the full weight of the law.
The court sentenced the four men to death by hanging for kidnapping and armed robbery, with additional prison terms for cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, according to court proceedings monitored. The judge said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others engaged in violent crimes across the state.
The judgment marks a significant milestone for the newly established Special Criminal Court, which was set up to fast-track cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related offences in Edo. Residents have welcomed the verdict, describing it as a strong signal that criminality will no longer go unpunished.
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Author: Stella Sunu
