Akakan Umoh
Four men are facing death on multiple counts for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State.
The four 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.
The judgment was delivered on Tuesday in the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case.
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While delivering the judgment, Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court, said the law left him with no discretion in imposing the prescribed sentences.
“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.
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.
