Edo Special Court Slams Death Sentence on Four Kidn*ppers

A Special Criminal Court in Edo State has handed down the death penalty to four individuals found guilty of kidn*pping a woman in Benin City. The incident occurred at the bustling Vegetable Market, situated off Airport Road. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the verdict on Tuesday, convicting the defendants on an 11-count charge that included kidn*pping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms, as reported by Channels Television.

The court, specifically established by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to address cases of kidn*pping and cultism, sentenced three males and one female. The convicted individuals are Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

Following the court’s judgment, a pump-action rifle, along with two unexpended and two expended cartridges, which were recovered from the four convicts, have been ordered to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Edo State Police Command.

According to an earlier report by The PUNCH, the victim, whose name was withheld, was at the market with her children and husband when armed assailants reportedly abducted her. A viral video captured a woman claiming to be an eyewitness, describing the harrowing experience. She stated, “Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidn*pped.” She further elaborated, “Who said kidn*pping is not in Benin? A kidn*pping happened in my presence right at Airport Road by the Vegetable Market. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist. I saved the woman’s children today. This is me; I have bruises. These are my legs.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, later confirmed the incident.

The court’s detailed sentencing for each defendant is as follows:

“Sentence: In count one, you, Marvellous Isaac, is hereby sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. In count two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, you, Marvellous Isaac, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging or through the administration of a lethal injection. You shall be hanged by the neck till you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.

In count ten, you, Marvellous Isaac, is hereby sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. In count eleven, you, Marvellous Isaac, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.

Second defendant, in count one, you, Wisdom Michael, is hereby sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. In counts two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine, you, Wisdom Michael, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging or through the administration of a lethal injection. You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.

Third defendant, in count one, you, Rufus Emete Michael, is hereby sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. In count two, three, four, six, and seven, you, Rufus Emete Michael, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging or through the administration of a lethal injection. You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.

Fourth defendant, in count one, you, Gift Raphael, is hereby sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. In count two, four, six, and eight, you, Gift Raphael, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging or through the administration of a lethal injection. You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.

Now, Exhibit M, the JoJef pump action, and two unexpended cartridges, and the two expended cartridges, Exhibit E and E1, are hereby confiscated to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Both exhibits shall be handed over to the Edo State Armourer of the Nigerian Police, State CID, Edo State Headquarters, by the Deputy Director of the Criminal Division for destruction 30 days hence. This shall be the judgment of the courts.”