Edo special court delivers first judgment in kidnapping case
Edo State’s Special Criminal Court has begun delivering its first judgment in a case involving four defendants accused in an 11-count charge covering kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and illegal firearm possession. The case concerns the daylight abduction of a woman in Benin City on June 14, 2026.
Edo State’s Special Criminal Court has begun delivering its maiden judgment in a kidnapping case involving four defendants. Justice Aigbona Momodu is delivering the judgment in the 11-count case, which includes allegations of kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The case concerns the alleged broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026.
The court began operating on July 1, 2026. It was established to handle cases involving kidnapping and cultism. The proceedings represent a major case for the new court, which was created to accelerate the prosecution of violent-crime cases in Edo State.
The court was established under the directive of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. The supplied material does not state the verdict delivered by Justice Momodu or the evidence considered by the court. It also does not provide the names of the defendants, the prosecution’s specific allegations beyond the charge categories or the defence arguments.
The judgment is being delivered as the court begins its role in handling the state’s kidnapping and cultism-related prosecutions.
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