Court sentences four to death over kidnapping in Edo

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four individuals to death for their roles in the kidnapping of a woman in Benin City's Vegetable Market. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment, addressing 11 charges including kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms. The court, established by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, handles kidnapping and cultism cases.

The four sentenced individuals – Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 – are aged between 27 and 36. They were found to have a pump-action rifle, two unexpended and two expended cartridges. The woman, whose name was not disclosed, was kidnapped along with her husband and children. The incident was later corroborated by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.

The court ordered the confiscation of the weapons to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which will be handed over to the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction.