Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Edo State Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday sentenced four persons to death for their roles in the broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road, delivering the court's maiden judgment in a kidnapping case and signalling a hardening stance against violent crime in the state.
Justice Aigbona Momodu convicted the four defendants Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The case arose from the abduction of the woman on June 14, 2026, while she was at the market with her husband and children. Gunmen reportedly stormed the scene in a commando-style operation and whisked her away, an incident that drew public attention after a witness shared a video account of the attack. "Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped," the witness said. "A kidnapping happened in my presence right at Airport Road by the Vegetable Market. I saved the woman's children today. This is me; I have bruises."
Delivering a judgment that lasted more than three hours, 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 had 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," he said. The court sentenced Isaac, described as the gang leader, to seven years' imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine, ten years' imprisonment on count ten, and life imprisonment on count eleven. Michael received seven years on count one and death sentences on counts two through nine. Emete Michael was sentenced to seven years on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six and seven. Raphael, the only female defendant, received seven years on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight. The court ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits, directing that they be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.
The prosecution, led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Roland Otaru, called seven witnesses during the trial. The defence did not call any witnesses. The court admitted several exhibits, including alleged confessional statements, a Lexus RX 350 SUV, a pump-action firearm, ammunition, a mobile phone and other materials. Investigations allegedly connected the Lexus SUV to other kidnapping incidents, and the arrest of Isaac on June 18 reportedly led to the recovery of the vehicle and other exhibits. The prosecution subsequently linked the other defendants to the alleged criminal enterprise.
The judgment has shifted the spotlight onto Edo State's specialised criminal justice system. The Special Criminal Court was established on July 1, 2026, under the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and expedite the prosecution of violent crimes. The court commenced sitting with the remand of three suspects, and its first judgment in a kidnapping case has now been delivered. The establishment of the court formed part of the Okpebholo administration's broader security agenda, which has included the recruitment of 5,400 local security corps members across the state's 18 local government areas, the deployment of 1,000 forest guards, and the procurement of patrol vehicles and motorcycles for security agencies. The government has consistently argued that security is the foundation of its SHINE Agenda, and that the confidence restored in communities and among investors is directly attributable to the reduction in kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
The verdict has also raised questions about the balance between speedy justice and the constitutional safeguards available to convicted persons. Hours after the judgment, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Notary Public, Olayiwola Afolabi, cautioned Governor Okpebholo against taking any step towards executing the convicts until the expiration of the period allowed by law for them to exercise their right of appeal. "The Governor cannot order execution of the convicts. It is only when they fail to file an appeal within the required 90 days," Afolabi said, adding that he expected the Attorney-General to advise the Governor appropriately. The convicts retain the right to appeal the judgment, and the execution of the sentences will depend on the outcome of any appellate process.
The case has drawn attention to the persistent challenge of kidnapping in Edo State, where armed groups have targeted markets, roads and rural communities. The abduction of the woman at the Vegetable Market was one of several high-profile incidents that prompted the state government to establish the special court. The police had earlier arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction, and one suspect was killed in a gun duel during the operation to rescue the victim. The court's judgment brings the legal process to a conclusion at the trial level, but the broader battle against kidnapping continues.
For the people of Benin City, the verdict represents a measure of accountability for a crime that shocked the community. For the Okpebholo administration, it is a validation of its decision to create a specialised court and prioritise the prosecution of violent crimes. For the convicts, the judgment marks the beginning of a long legal process that may extend to the appellate courts. As Justice Momodu put it, the law left him with no discretion, and the sentences were imposed as prescribed. The court has spoken, and the next chapter will be written in the appeal courts.
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