@afriktimestoday: Edo Special Court Sentences Four To Death Over Benin City Kidnapping The Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City has sentenced four persons to death by hanging or lethal injection over the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City. Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the court’s first kidnapping case since its establishment. The four convicts, Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27, were tried on an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The case arose from the broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market on June 14, 2026. The woman was later released unharmed. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence including a pump-action firearm, cartridges, a Lexus RX 350 and other exhibits linked to the case. The court sentenced Marvellous Isaac to seven years imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine, 10 years imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11. Wisdom Michael was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine. Rufus Emete Michael received seven years imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven. Gift Raphael was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight. Delivering the sentence against Raphael, Justice Momodu said: “Fourth defendant, in count one, you, Gift Raphael, are hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment. In count two, four, six, and eight, you, Gift Raphael, are 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.” The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits. The items are to be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days. The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established in July 2026 to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and accelerate the prosecution of violent crimes in the state. x.com/ChannelsTelevi…….

AfrikTimes

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Tuesday 29 September 2026 16:28:12 GMT