₦airaland Forum

Edo State’s newly established Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death in its first verdict in a kidnapping case arising from the abduction of a woman in Benin City.


https://www.tiktok.com/video/7690931511293480213?_r=1&_t=ZS-9A8jXNmHqj7


The defendants — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — were prosecuted over the alleged June 14, 2026 abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.

The four men had faced multiple charges bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. They had pleaded not guilty to the charges during the trial.

Gift Raphael Sentenced to Death on Multiple Counts

During Tuesday’s judgment, the court sentenced Gift Raphael, the fourth defendant, to seven years’ imprisonment on count one.

On counts two, four, six and eight, however, the court imposed the death penalty, ordering that he be executed by hanging or through lethal injection.

The court pronounced:

“You shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you.”

The sentencing followed the court’s consideration of the evidence presented during the trial.

Other Defendants Also Convicted
The case involved four defendants who were arrested following investigations into the June 14 kidnapping.

The abducted woman was reportedly taken in broad daylight by gunmen who used an SUV. She was later released unharmed.

Police investigations subsequently led to the recovery of a Lexus RX 350, a pump-action firearm and other exhibits allegedly connected to the offences.

One of the defendants, Marvellous Isaac, was arrested on June 18 during an alleged gun battle with operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team. Another suspected member of the group, identified as Precious, was reportedly killed during the operation. Further investigations led to the arrests of Raphael, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael.

First Verdict Under Edo’s Special Criminal Court
The verdict marks the first judgment delivered by Edo State’s newly established Special Criminal Court, which was created to accelerate the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases.

The court became operational in July 2026 following a directive by Governor Monday Okpebholo for a dedicated judicial mechanism to speed up the trial of such cases.

The first verdict comes amid renewed efforts by the state government and security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The case is also being closely watched as an early test of the special court’s ability to conclude serious criminal cases more quickly.

What Happens Next?
The sentences are subject to the applicable legal procedures and any available rights of appeal.

The verdict is expected to draw further attention to Edo State’s use of specialised courts in dealing with kidnapping, armed robbery and related violent crimes.

Source: https://chroniqwave.com/edo-special-court-sentences-four-kidnappers-to-death-in-first-verdict/

Is it good judgement or not?

Good judgment!
I hope they're executed immediately! And not made to be fed with taxpayers naira.

I even call for firing squad sef.

Nice one. No mercy for kidnappers and bandits

Other states should follow suit especially the region where terrorists are more prevalent.

These names are not what I expected!

OpSystem:
Is it good judgement or not?

Go and ask those who are victims of kidnappers.

Hope Mr Monday will sign the death warrant. That is the koko

No Mercy for mercy.come late but never too late.

This is it. We can't continue to be living in fear everyday cos of kidnappers and bandits. I believe by now other people that are planning kidnapping will have a change of mind.

The kidnappers should be paraded publicly on national TV and shot at close range to serve as deterrent to others.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Wickedfacts:
Go and ask those who are victims of kidnappers.

Well it’s a question I asked , you either answer or read and ignore. But……

Good judgement,
The should give me the gun to make it faster, I won't miss, I swear

Akpakomisa do well on this one. Thumbs up.

This is the only language they understand. Well done

Okpebholo had on Thursday threatened to publicly execute convicted kidnappers and cultists as part of efforts to rid the state of violent crime.

The governor said his administration would set up a special court for the trial of suspected criminals and public execution of convicts to serve as a deterrent.

In a memo numbered SGA.710/T/40, dated June 19 and addressed to the chief judge, Umar Ikhilor, secretary to the state government (SSG), said the governor is seeking the establishment of a special court to strengthen the state’s fight against cultism and kidnapping.

https://www.thecable.ng/okpebholo-asks-edo-chief-judge-to-set-up-special-court-for-kidnapping-cultism-cases/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUyO69EUzoc?si=DTI703hzDBKtc9Sb

Konfarm nih! Koretti nih!! this news just dey sweet my belle. "Crime pays in cash and costs in life. You spend the cash in days, you pay the cost for years. with ya life"

But why are southerners sentencing their own people kidnappers to death while northerners rehabilitate,
Something's not right

I put am on replay to watch their faces
one of dem fit be jennyclay customer for Benin
E only remain make Okpebholo sign so that dem no go go d congest prison

U09ce:
Hope Mr Monday will sign the death warrant. That is the koko

Sign the death warrant as how?? By the time the matter gets to supreme Court, Okpebolo would no longer be governor even if he wins second term!! They even have 90 days grace to appeal to the court of appeal!

OpSystem:
Is it good judgement or not?

What is your own opinion 😇?
See,if All Past Govts-including the State Governors have been very pragmatic about finding Solutions to:
•Terrorism,
•Bandits
•Kidnappers and ,
•Criminals -Sponsorers- All Over Nigeria and Abroad.
Peace and Harmony Would have been Everywhere,but rather,we have Some Traditional Rulers,Governors and Ministers and Local government Personalities - Supporting and Bankrolling these Evil in Nigeria-Underneath !
•Why should We Suddenly be Benefiting from Evil -Imported to Nigeria, especially in the Northern Enclaves - just because they are being Deceived by the religious bigot?
We need Iron hand to Destroy this Evil -that even entice the Youths and the MASSES.
•Nigeria Must Remain Peaceful!
-God Bless Edo Govt - for setting the record ⏺️ Straight -that Edo Will Not Tolerate Evil, including Cultists in that State👏👍.
If Other States like, let them continue the evil Manipulations,them go chop from it,in a long time to come.

Will the cone shaped headed governor sign their warrant of execution immediately is the question.

OpSystem:
Is it good judgement or not?

No capital punishment, when there is no capital offense.

ceejay80s:
But why are southerners sentencing their own people kidnappers to death while northerners rehabilitate,
Something's not right

When we tell you guys that Nigeria is an improper fraction, this is exactly what we mean.

Moderators will soon start jumping like antelopes to ban this comment.

Sermwell:
Sign the death warrant as how?? By the time the matter gets to supreme Court, Okpebolo would no longer be governor even if he wins second term!! They even have 90 days grace to speak to the court of appeal!

Over sabi Falana & Deji will defend the kidnappers as usual, they will shout fundamental human rights.

Death sentence needs to fast track in this country.

Sentence to death, but will spend 30 years in jail until they get pardon.

Doesn't make sense to me.

This is to show that Edo State is different from northern state that reintegrate kidnappers back to the society. This is a very good warning to others.

aieromon:
This is the only language they understand. Well done



https://www.thecable.ng/okpebholo-asks-edo-chief-judge-to-set-up-special-court-for-kidnapping-cultism-cases/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUyO69EUzoc?si=DTI703hzDBKtc9Sb

Hang the demons till their neck break

The wereys con dey look paiko for court today.

Do the crime, meet your makers.

DeZoro:
This is to show that Edo State is different from northern state that reintegrate kidnappers back to the society. This is a very good warning to others.

It is an industry over there. The rest of Nigeria is just wasting time pitying them.

Henjor48:
The kidnappers should be paraded publicly on national TV and shot at close range to serve as deterrent to others.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The court session was broadcast live today.

They can appeal to supreme court