…Special Criminal Court Delivers Maiden Verdict in Kidnapping Case
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, dedicated to kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, on Tuesday sentenced three males and a female to death by hanging over kidnapping and membership of a secret cult.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the over three-hour judgment was delivered by Justice T. A. Momodu on 11-count charges preferred against the convicts.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the four condemned persons are Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The convicts faced an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms. The case arose from the broad-daylight abduction of one Precious Oseghale on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The Nation reported that the court rejected the alibi defence presented by the kidnappers, noting that they did not raise it during police questioning.
This is the first kidnapping case to be tried by the Edo State Special Criminal Court since Governor Monday Okpebholo pronounced a death sentence for kidnappers. Okpebholo set up the Special Criminal Court in July 2026 to ensure speedy trial of kidnapping and cultism cases.
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