A Special Court for Kidnapping and Cultism in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced four members of an alleged kidnapping syndicate to death by hanging or lethal injection.
The convicts — Marvelous Isaac, 32; Gift Raphael, 27; Wisdom Michael; and Rufus Michael
were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and other related offences.
Delivering judgment, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently sentenced the four men to death by hanging or lethal injection.
The convicts were said to have abducted a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, Benin City. However, her husband reportedly managed to escape during the incident.
Following the kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, established a Special Court to fast-track the trial of kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.