Justice Aigbona Momodu of the Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to 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 judgment was delivered on Tuesday in the court’s maiden judgment in a kidnapping case.
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.
While delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu 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.
SEE FULL COURT VERDICT BELOW
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 count 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 yearsimprisonment. 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 un-expended 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.
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