Edo court sentences four to death over market kidnapping

An Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four people to death over their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, in Benin City, Channels Television reported. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on an 11-count case involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The defendants were identified as Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

They comprise three men and one woman. The court imposed death sentences on Isaac on counts two to nine, Michael on counts two to nine, Rufus Michael on counts two, three, four, six and seven, and Raphael on counts two, four, six and eight. Each defendant also received a seven-year prison sentence on the first count.

The judgment included additional sentences. Isaac was given 10 years on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11. The verdict did not specify additional sentences for the other defendants beyond those listed.

The case concerned a woman who, according to The PUNCH, was at the market with her husband and children when gunmen allegedly abducted her. The incident was later confirmed by Edo police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem, the report said. The court ordered that a pump-action rifle, two unexpended cartridges and two expended cartridges be confiscated to the Federal Government.

The exhibits are to be handed to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days. The court was established under a directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo to handle kidnapping- and cultism-related cases, according to the report.