The convicts during court proceedings
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
On Tuesday, 29 September, 2026, the Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City pronounced death sentences on four suspected kidnappers, for the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road.
The convicts, three males and one lady are: Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
They were all found guilty of kidnapping and other related offences linked to the daylight abduction.
Justice Terry Aigbona Momodu of the State High Court presided over the special court dedicated to the trial of kidnap suspects, cultism activities and other violent crimes.
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The court considered 11 charges bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms brought against the four defendants; before handing down the death sentence in the judgement proceedings which lasted for about three hours.
The kidnap victim: a woman was abducted on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026 at the vegetable market in the presence of her husband and children, by the dare-devil armed men.
The broad day light abduction in the busy commercial area of Benin-City triggered an uproar amongst residents; prompting the Edo State Police Command on the orders of the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to swiftly launch an investigation.
Police said the investigation led to the arrest of the four suspects.
According to the command, Isaac was arrested on June 18 during an operation in which another alleged member of the gang, identified as Precious, was killed.
The convicts in court
Raphael, Wisdom and Rufus were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.
The police also said a Lexus RX 350 SUV, a pump-action shotgun, ammunition, unspecified amount of cash, and a motorcycle were recovered during the investigation.
Following the conclusion of the trial and consideration of the evidence before the court, Justice Momodu sentenced the four convicts to death by hanging, or lethal injection.
The sentences of the four; was the maiden judgment of the special criminal court set up by the administration of the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo in response to ravaging insecurity characterised by heart bugging kidnapping, unceasing killings occasioned by the activities of cultists and other violent crimes.
The Court came into being on July 1, 2026 while the criminal trial of the convicts spanned two months, and 12 days.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu lamented that the law gave him no discretionary option in imposing the prescribed sentences.
“My hands are tied under the law. I wish the law would 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.”
Justice Momodu also in his judgement 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.
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Full Text of judgement 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 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 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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