Court sentences 4 to death for kidnapping, other offences in Edo

The Edo State Special Criminal Court sentenced four men to death on Tuesday for their roles in a kidnapping case. The court's first judgment on a kidnapping case involved Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael, and Gift Raphael. The four defendants faced an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Justice Aigbona Momodu, the presiding judge, stated that the law left him with no discretion in imposing the prescribed sentences, adding that he wished he had the flexibility to exercise his own judgment. Isaac received a seven-year imprisonment sentence for count one and death by hanging or lethal injection for counts two to nine, while Michael was sentenced to seven years for count one and death by hanging or lethal injection for counts two to nine.

Emete Michael was given a seven-year imprisonment sentence for count one and death sentences for counts two, three, four, six, and seven. Finally, Raphael was sentenced to seven years for count one and death for counts two, four, six, and eight. The court also ordered the confiscation of a firearm and four cartridges, which were to be destroyed within 30 days.