Edo court sentences four to death for market kidnapping

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four people to death for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday after considering 11 counts, including kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The defendants were Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

The court ordered that a pump-action rifle, two unexpended cartridges and two expended cartridges recovered from the defendants be handed to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Edo State Police Command. The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was at the market with her husband and children when gunmen reportedly took her away. The police later confirmed the incident.

Prosecutors called seven witnesses, while the defendants, who had pleaded not guilty, did not call witnesses. Justice Momodu found Isaac guilty on all counts. The other defendants were convicted on some counts and discharged and acquitted on others.

The death sentences were imposed on specified kidnapping-related counts, while some defendants also received prison terms on separate charges. Isaac was additionally convicted of membership of the Eiye Confraternity. The court said the prosecution’s exhibits, including the defendants’ confessional statements, were not challenged by the defence.

The four were arrested three days after the abduction, and other alleged victims reportedly identified and testified against them. Senior Advocate Olayiwola Afolabi cautioned Governor Monday Okpebholo against immediate execution. He said the defendants should be allowed to appeal within the required 90 days and argued that the governor could not order execution before that period expired.