Gunmen
Benin City — The Edo State Special Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced four people to death for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman and related offences including armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
Justice Aigbona Momodu handed down the sentences against Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27. The four were convicted on an 11-count charge.
The case arose from the abduction of a woman on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City. The victim was seized in broad daylight and later released unharmed. Police recovered a pump-action rifle and several cartridges linked to the suspects.
The special court, established in July 2026 on the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo to fast-track kidnapping and cultism cases, delivered its first judgment in a kidnapping trial.
Justice Momodu said the law left him no room for discretion. “My hands are tied under the law. I wish I have the law permit me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” he said.
All four received seven years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy count. Death sentences by hanging or lethal injection were imposed as follows:
- Marvellous Isaac: d3ath on counts two to nine, plus 10 years on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.
- Wisdom Michael: d3ath on counts two to nine.
- Rufus Emete Michael: d3ath on counts two, three, four, six and seven.
- Gift Raphael: d3ath on counts two, four, six and eight.
In sentencing Gift Raphael, the judge declared: “You, Gift Raphael, are hereby sentenced to d3ath by hanging or through the administration of a lethal injection. You shall be hanged by the neck until you are d3ad. May the Lord have mercy on you.”
The court ordered the recovered firearm and cartridges to be handed over to the police for destruction.
The convicts had pleaded not guilty. The sentences remain subject to appeal.
About the Author
