By Owen Eresoyen, Benin
The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons to death by hanging after finding them guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.
The convicts Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 were convicted on 11 counts arising from the daylight abduction of Precious Oseghale at the Vegetable Market area of Airport Road, Benin City, on June 14, 2026.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Justice Aigbona Momodu found the four men guilty of the offences and imposed the death sentence by hanging.
The judgment marked the maiden ruling of the Edo State Special Criminal Court, established to facilitate the speedy trial and determination of cases involving serious offences, particularly kidnapping and cultism.
