Four people have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Edo State High Court after being found guilty of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes linked to the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The judgement was delivered on Tuesday by Justice T. A. Momodu of the Special Criminal Court, a tribunal set up to handle cases of kidnapping, cultism and related offences. The court sat for more than three hours before pronouncing sentence on the 11-count charge.
The convicts are Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The case stemmed from the kidnapping of a woman who was at the market with her husband and children when gunmen struck and took her away.
A female eyewitness later posted a video in which she described seeing the abduction take place and said she helped protect the children. The state police spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident.
The Special Criminal Court was established on the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo to accelerate the trial of serious security-related offences in the state.
Full Court Verdict
In delivering the sentences, Justice Momodu stated as follows:
“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.”
The court ordered that the recovered weapons and ammunition be destroyed after 30 days.